SATARA WRECK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10031, 29 April 1910, Page 3

SATARA WRECK.

NEARLY A DISASTER.

VESSEL A TOTAL WKECK,

But for the opportune arrival of the steamers Orara and the Dorrigo, j the loss of life resulting from the j wreck of the Britiah-India boat; Satara, sooth of the Seal Rocks (between Sydney and Newcastle, would have turned the accident into a serious disaster. The picking up of the wrecked crew from the four boats by the Orara was a ticklish and difficult business. There was a heavy roll on, and while at one moment the gunwale of the steamer was on a level with the water's edge, during th 3 next the bhip's boats were close to the rescuing vessel's keel. However, all were got on board safely. In the meantime, the master of the lost steamer, Captain Hugill. and the Torres Srait pilot, Captain Bmstead, and two Lascars were floating away on scrap? of wreckage. Ihen the Dorrigo hove in sight, and after some delicate manoeuvring picked them up. Ropes were thrown to them, and they were hauled on board by main strength. The pilot, by the way, was on the bridge when the vessel struck.

Accounts vary as to the time the vessel remined afloat after striking the submerged rock, but at auy rate there was no opportunity for the officers or crew to save anything. With nothing but what they stood up in, they were all brought to Sydney by the Dorrigo. On board the Satara were two passengers, Messrs Asplin and Power, who were to take charge of the horses which were to be loaded at Gladstone, Queensland, for India. The Lascars who formed the crew, being prohibited, immigants, will be main on the Ailie until taken to India.

CHIEF OFFICER'S STORY,

LASCARS BEHAVED SPLENDIDLY.

THE SHIP'S PAPERS LOST,

Mr C. C. Hugoes, the chief officer of the Satara, stated that five boats were utilised in getting the crew and ofßcers away, and when the last one had left the doomed vessel the captain, pilot, himself and two lascars were all that remained. Another boat was ready to take them off; but just as they were preparing to lower her the Satara plunged headlong to the bottom, and left all of them struggling in the water. After some time he was picked up and taken on board the Orara. There was plenty of wreckage floating about, and to this the men in the water clung. Mr Hughes thought the lascars were done for, because when he last saw them they were half a mile away from him and in towards the shore. They appeared to be in difficulties, too. Mr Hughes explained how the ship's papers were lost. Tbey were placed in one of the boats, the occupants of which were taken on board the Orara, and were left below when the men scrambled on to tho deck of the steamer. A man was holding the lifeboat, and when an officer called out, "Don't let her go," he evidently misunderstood the order, for ha immediately released his grasp and the boat was rapidly swept away and could not De recovered, i Though, of course, everybody on board the Satara knew the vessel was sinking, the end was not anticipated as suddenly as it came, m the last twenty minutes of the time she was afloat she settled down in a remarkable fashion, and consequently no time was left anybody to get clothes.