THE SURVIVORS AT SYDNEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 191, 12 August 1895, Page 3

THE SURVIVORS AT SYDNEY.

Sydney, August II

The Catterthun survivors have arrived here. Arrangements are being made by the agents of the. Company for the accommodation of the crew at a Chinese boardingbouse.

The tugs picked up the second empty cutter, also -wreckage and another body, some distance from the scene. A quantity of wreckage was also Bighted in bhe vicinity of Crowdy Head. The Chinese are old servants of bhe company, and they speak English. They had a moßb thrilling experience. The "boatswain states that three boate were smashed, one after another, while being lowered, and the people in, them were carried overboard by the tremendous aeaß. He saw one man crushed against the davits and killed before his eyes.

No. • 1 boab containing bhe Burvivors gob clear of the steamer as if by miracle. Aa she was being lowered the steamer began to heel over, and the boat bumping against the side had a plank etovo in. "The boab just managed to escape from the whirlpool iv which bhe Catterthun sank, though she was almost engulfed. The boat leaked badly, and the seas were breaking aboard. Several occupants were constantly baling. They had a continuous fear thab the seas would swamp the boat. They pulled round several times in search of survivors. THE CAPTAIN AT HIS POST. While aboard he saw no passengers aboub the deck. When the last boat was ready to lower the captain shouted from the bridge for the crew to clear out, as tho ship waa Binking. He is positive ib was the tho captain, aa he could nob mistake hia voice, and he saw hia figure plainly. This ia important, as it waa previoußly stated thab the captain waa waahed froia the btridge at the came time as the officers and Captain Fawkes before tbe vessel sank. Tho boabawain states that if they had been half a minute later in lowering the boab nob ono would have been Hayed. If the weather had boeu fine all would have been saved, aa there were aufficient boats, and they were ready for lowering. The crew, lie said, simply obeyed orders, and never attempted to aave themselves until ordered by bhe captain. PANIC-STRICKEN PASSENGERS. The narrative of the Chinese steward clears up the fate of the lady and some other passengers. He states thab when he went below after the fireb alarm, he found bhey had all gone back bo their bunks, apparently thinking there was no danger, but when they saw the water rushing in, they appeared to be seized with panic. Tho chief sfceward stayed in the saloon until the water rose breaßt high, trying to parsuade them to come oub. They pereisbently refused, and finally bhe abewarda had to leave to save themselves.

They found the door leading to bhe deck fast, but after a great efforb opened ib Bufficienbly bo pass a leg through, and the force of bhe water burab ib open. The steward says thab he once more returned and called for the ladies, and Dr. Anderson and Fraßer, who were with them, to come oubj and they still refused. He then made for bhe deck, and the steamer sank as he reached ib.

Both Lanfer (the second officer) and Capt. Fawkes state they never sighted the green guiding lights on the rocks, which would have warned of danger, ifc ia believed this will form the defence of the former, who was in charge of the bridge when the ahip struck.