FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Evening Post, Volume XX, Issue 209, 7 September 1880, Page 2

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Tile Rangatira left Manukau at 11 t*.m. yesterday, and experienced fine weather along the coast. Captain Harvey was on deck an hour before the catastrophe, and, it happening to be a fine, clear night, and no special danger being apprehended, he went to his berth, leaving the mate in charge of the watch. At 3 o'clock this morning the captain and passengers were awakened by a slight shock like the dropping of the anchor. Immediately the order to reverse the engines was given, and then a second shook was felt, and the steamer was found to be fairly aground on the rocks. Captain Harvey was on deck in a few seoonds after the first shock, and sA onoe saw the danger, which it was impossible to avert. The engines were unmanageable, and the steamer fixed, in the rooks as firmly as in a vice. The tide was half 'ebb at the time, and the water was making ita appearance in the fore compartments ; boats were lowered, and the passengers and mails brought ashore. The luggage was also safely landed, and the passengers and crew received every attention from the settlers at Bell Block. At 10 o'clock this morning the sea was breaking over the steamer, and Captain Harvey was compelled to abandon her. Some of the cargo was washed ashore. Fears are entertained that she will break up by noon. The Government steamer Hinemoa, whioh was waiting for the Maori prisoners, left the roadstead shortly after daylight, and steamed down to the scene, but could render no assistance, as the Rangatira was in a hopeless state. Two lighter-boats were despatched to land as much cargo as possible. The cargo is valued at £1000. The passengers by her were — For New Plymouth : Mr. Ford and a Chinaman. For Wanganui: Judge Symonds, and Messrs. Porter, Saunders, and Turner.

Captain Fairchild has telegraphed to the Marine Department that the Hinemoa proceeded to the assistance of the Rangatira at daylight this morning, and assisted in getting the people off. The vessel is a total wreok, and only the deokhouse visible. She will break up with the first wind from the westward. Captain Fairchild is unable to learn how the accident occurred. The Rangatira is a steamer of 196 tons register, and was under command of Captain Harvey. She is one of the vessels running under the flag of the Wellington and Wanganui Line of Steamers, the proprietors of which are the Hon. John Martin, and Messrs. J. Burne and D. Anderson. She has lately been trading between Wellington, Wanganui, and Manukau. Her -value is put down at about £9000, and we hear there is no insurance. The first mate of the Rangatira, Mr. Swede, whose watch it was when she struck, seems to be very unlucky, having been in command of the schooners Laurel, Reliance, and Cynthia when they were lost. In each case, however, he was exonerated from .blame.