WRECK OF THE MURITAI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 135, 29 May 1908, Page 2

WRECK OF THE MURITAI.

CHIRP STEWARD'S NARRATIVE. Per Press Associat'ou Auckland. Last Xight. Tlin chief steward, Mr W. Kgginton, gives (lie following interesting account of tile wreck of th" Mnritai: —"The passengers nil assembled in the cabin, but to make sure that all were present 1 made a round of the cabins. Life bells were served round, and then everybody went on deck, and were on shore in doubleclick time. After the passengers had been got ashore, I had provisions, rugs, and firewood (the hitter wag torn *roin the bunks) passed down to them, and willing hands assisted me ill making things comfortable. When 1 reached the deck, J was aware that the vessel

was aground, hut it was some moments before 1 could make out anything in the mist. The impact was hardly severe enough to be fell. „„,i j t was'hard to conceive „t that moment that our shin was a total wreck. It was just like going on a sandbank, as wo have often dune on the West Coast. We were not long at the landing place before, it was apparent that a change was desirable, for a big sea was making up, which led the captain to express fear that if they were to remain there, and the weather came on heavy, it might he days before our rescue could be oU'eelcd. A safe place was found, and just as we were settling down for tile night, having erected a largo tent from material taken from the vessel, the C'oroiuandel hove in sight. The camp as abandoned, anil we went oil' to the steamer with all possible speed."