WRECK OF THE RANGITOTO.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2493, 1 August 1873, Page 2

WRECK OF THE RANGITOTO.

[Pee Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph Agency.] Wellington, July 31. By the arrival of the Wellington at four o'clock intelligence was received of the total loss of the steamer Rangitoto on her passage from Nelson to this port. She left Nelson yesterday at one, passing through the French passage. She was off Jackson's Point about half-an-hour behind the Wei. lington. Captain Mackie having been (? ill) since the arrival of the steamer at Hokitika, had turned in ; the steamer being in charge of the chief officer. Jackson Point was hugged too closely, and the steamer struck, bumping heavily, the sea being quite calm* The bottom of the vessel was stoved in, and the fires extinguished, the vessel making water at the rate of a foot per minute. Orders were given to drive her ashore, but there was barely sufficient steam to effect this. The place where she beached is surrounded by inaccessible rocks eight hundred feet high, her bows resting on the ledge of the rocks, and the stern floating in deep water. The boats were lowered, and the greatest order prevailed. Mr Nancarrow and the second mate, with the boat's crew, started to meet the Wellington, which was expected on her return down the Sound from Picton. They succeeded in being picked up by the steamer, which proceeded to the scene. Two boats were filled, chiefly with ladies and children to the number of fifty-six. After lying by the ship for four hours they proceeded up the Sound, landing them at Turner's station. On the arrival of the Wellington at the wreck their attention was drawn by the firing of a gun and the burning of blue lights on the Rangitoto. Shortly after two boats came off from the wreck containing a lady and children and others, who had not found room in the boats seeking refuge up the Sound. The Wellington approaching as close as safety admitted to the wreck, the boats of both steamers were busy all night saving the mails, passengers' baggage and a portion of the cargo. Mr Blackwood was on board the steamer. Efforts to save everything possible were continued till eight this morning, at which hour leaving men still aboard removing goods to the boats, the Wellington steamed up the Souud to the Little Cove. Shortly after this the-castaways were taken aboard, and the Wellington steamed to the wreck. She lay there half-an-hour, until the steamer went down by the stern, the crew on board saving themselves by the boats. The crew were taken on board the Wellington, which was crowded. The Wellington then steamed to this port about eleven o'clock. The Rangitoto's stern and hull are three-fourths submerged. She has clung to the ledge of the rock with her bows, while the surface of the sea around was covered with floating cargo by the breaking up of the decks. The position of Jackson's Point is exceedingly exposed to shifting wind, which is likely soon to make disappear all that remains of the Rangitoto. The following are the names of the passengers—Mr and Mrs Pauling, four children, and servant; Mrs Hector, two children, and servant ; Mrs Sharp and child ; Mr and Mrs Gould, Misses J. Carandini, Jefferson, Perry, Barley, Frith, Amy Frith, Rev. Mr and Mrs Kinnimont, Rev. Andrew, Messrs Nancarrow. Blackwood, Parker, M.G.A., G. Smith, Cunningham, Hill, McCabe, Jones, Davis, Bradshaw, Munro. The passengers speak in gratified terms and with great warmth of feeling respecting the kindness of Captain Carey, his officers and men. An address has been presented to Captain Carey by the passengers of the Rangitoto, and another by the passengers of the Wellington,