THE WRECK OF THE MURITAI.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9101, 29 May 1908, Page 5

THE WRECK OF THE MURITAI.

B* XKLKOIi.U'J! —I'UESS ASSOCIATION". AUCKLAND, May 28. Particulars of the wreck of th? steamer Muritai show tliat the vessel ran into a cluster of rocks at the l-Jig Chicken during a heavy fog. The utmost calmness prevailed, and all hands were saved, although the, vessel is a hopeless wreck, with two large rents in her bot'.oin. The passengers and crew were landed on the island, and taken off again last evening, arriving in Auckland by the steamer Kanieri' to-day. The second officer, W. Allen, who was on watch at the time of the accident, says he relieved the captain at mid-night. Shortly afterwards the weather cams on very thick. At 4.10 a.m. a ■ grinding sound was followed by a series of bumps, which announced that the vessel had struck some submerged object. All hands were quickly on deck. There wiis no undue excitement. A ladder was run out fiom the bow to the shore, which loomed up in the shape of a headland a few feet away from the vessel. All the passengers went ashore by" means of a ladder. When daylight appeared, it was found that the passengers and crew were on an isolated spot with a rocky and exposed seafront. Search was made for a more suitable place to camp, and one was found a little distance away, where there was a nice sandy beach. The passengers were placed in boats and taken to this place, and the crew, assisted by the passengers, who worked like Trojans, nroceeded to a tent, utilising hatch-covers and sails. The chief officer's boat was despatched for the mainland about 9 o'clock, and conveyed the news which led to the rescue of the shipwrecked party.