PERILS OF THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 15 August 1907, Page 3

PERILS OF THE SEA.

KAWATIRI WRECKED IN TASMANIA. SEVEN" LIVES LOST. Received 14th, 1.34 p.m. Ilobart, August 14. The steamer Kawatiri has been wrecked in Macijuarie Harbor on the West Coa-t of Ta-niania, at the same spnt where the Grafton was lost. Seven persons were drowned, including the stewardess. It is believed the other six were passengers.

DARK AND STORMY HIGHT. VESSEL STRIKES THE BREAKWATER. TWO WOMEN AND FOUR CHILDREN DISOWNED. Received 11th, j.lO p.m. Hobarl, August 11. The Kawatiri struck the breakwater at midnight while attempting to enter the Heads. The night was dark and very stormy, with a high sea. The la' -t report states that live passenger.", namely, Mrs Hooper and two children, and two other children, and also the stewardess (Mrs iloddenotl) were drowned. The rest of the passengers and crew arrived safelv at Strahan.

(The Kawatiri was a handy little vessel of 510 tons gross register, and 350 indicated horse-power, and a few years ago was a well-known coastal trader, along with the Grafton, Waretea and

others of that class, in New Zealand. She originally belonged to the Westport Coal Company, whose fleet was some years ago taken over by the Union Steam Shipping Company. For some ! considerable time she has been engaged [in the Melbourne-Strahau (Tasmania) service, and has come to grief at the same spot as her erstwhile lleet-matc in New Zealand and predecessor on the Tas manian Coast. The entrance to Macquarie Harbor is described as a wicked place in bad w;eather.)

HOW THE DISASTER OCCURRED. THROWS BY THE GALE OX TO THE BREAKWATER. BOW STOVE IN. Received 15th, 12.54 a.m. Hobart, August 14. The Kawatiri was en route from Hobart. Entering Macquarie Heads, a tremendous tide was running, combined with a heavy westerly gale, and the steamer was carried on to the breakwater wall, the impact shaking her from stem to stern. The liow was stove in. and in a short time the forepart filled with water. After striking, it appears the Kawatiri heeled over, and she now lies at the north end of the spit embedded, with the seas breaking over her. Only a portion of the bridge and the masts are above water.

There were over 40 passengers aboard,

LIST OF THE DROWSED. BOAT SMASHED WITH 11 OCCUPANTS. MAJORITY REACH THE SHORE. 17 RESCUED BY LIFEBOAT 12 HOURS AFTER WRECK. SURVIVORS SUFFER FROM EXPOSURE. Received 15th, 12.55 a.m. Hobart, August 14. The corrected list of the Kawatiri's drowned gives the names of Mrs Hooper drowned gives the names of Mrs Hooper and her two children, the stewardess (Miss Hogett). and two children in arms belonging to Mesdaim-s C-rundy and Tenant respectively. Owing to the heavy weather most of the lines communicating between the Heads and Str.ih.-in are down, and ouly ilisjointcil particulars have been received.

The steamers .Kathleen, Nellie and Maiiinapua »,-nt to the scene of the wreck.

Prior to their arrival a boat with 22 almard put off, and great waves washed some away, including the stewardess. Succeeding waves "" smashed the boil to pieces, but the majority of those aimard succeeded in re idling the breakwater.

At noon to-day, seventeen were still alinard the Kawatiri.

A lifeboat, manned by six men, after being many times driven back, succeeded in liringing them oft". The ship's company and volunteers behaved splendidly. Apparently the majority of the passengers were in their bunks when ihe vessel struck. Many were lightly clad, and suffered severely from exposure before rescued A STEAMER IK COLLISION. XO DETAILS AVAILABLE. Received loth, 12.18 a.m. Sydney, August 14. v The steamer Arawatta, which left last night for Brishancsignallcd Crowdy Heads to-day that she had been in collision, and her stem was badly injurjd. The vessel is proceeding to Brisbane. No Other details were given or will lie available till the Arawatta reaches her destination on Thursday. WRECK OF THE FLORA. Per Press Association. Auckland. August 14. The Coroner held an inquiry to-day into the circumstances connected with the death of Richard Sullivan, late master of tlm cutter Flora, which was wrecked on the Dcvonport side of the liarlior on -Inly 20. Tin- jury returned a v.Tiliet that decca-ed was found dead on the beach, but there was no evidence Ito -how by what moans he came into Ithe water.