A HOPELESS SEARCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 190, 10 August 1895, Page 5

A HOPELESS SEARCH.

•■_!■<-*•■«,,....•—-.. Sydney, Augusb 9. The tuga have returned/after thoroughly Searching the vicinity of the wreck for miles along the coast; They picked up the cutter belonging to the Catterbhun, bub beyond this there waa no trace of bhe missing people or wreckage. The survivors are doing well. Among the Chineee passengers was a widow and four young children. . Smith, a passenger by the Catterthun, was late navigating lieutenant of the warship Wolverine. He was going to China to seek employment, and leaves a widow and son in Sydney. The Chinese passengers included a Melbourne merchant connected with the firm of Wing Tye and Co., who was going to China on pleasure. Captain Shannon's wife is completely prostrated. Great praise is given to the Chinese crew for the way they stood to their posts, and worked in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties to get the boats out. The National Shipwreck Society has taken in hand the task of relieving any distress caused by the wreck. Salvage operations will depend on the depth of the water over the vessel. 'If she foundered on the seaward side of the rocks, ib is considered the depth will be too great to permit of a diver working, bub if bhe vessel was carried towards shallower water there will be a possibility of recovering the mails and the more valuable portion of the cargo. The underwriters await the report from the second mate. The Marino Board will begin an inquiry as soon as the survivors reach Sydney, where they are expected bo-morrow. Tugs are continuing the search, bub ib is almost generally considered hopeless, as ib is believed all except those saved in the life boat were engulfed when the vessel sank. A few friends only refuse to abandon hops. Tho cutter picked up evidently broke loobo when the Catterthun sank. Ships, arriving to-day report no signs of life or wreckage. Captain Fawkes states thab on rising he struck a plank to which be clung, and was afterwards joined by the second officer. When in bhe water he noticed the rays from tbe lighthouse. He had no definite idea where they struck, but thinks ib was aboub four miles north-easb of bhe lighbhouse. From the bime she struck the mosb admirable discipline was shown. No ono was flurried, and there waa an entire absence of panic. The captain and officers gave their orders coolly, and the crew cheerfully obeyed.