FRIGHTFUL DISASTER TO THE S.S. TARARUA.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 100, 30 April 1881, Page 2

FRIGHTFUL DISASTER TO THE S.S. TARARUA.

THE VESSEL PARTED AMIDSHIPS. ALL THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN SUPPOSED DROWNED. HEABT-RENDING SCENE. [TTNITID PRBBB ASSOCIATION.] Invercabgill, 29th April, 10.20 p.m. The point where the Tararua is on the rooks is a few milea north of Toitoi, the entranoe to the Mataura River, a dangerous reef running out some distanoe from tho ■hore. Tho stoamera Cemerang and Easby each struck on it som« years ago, bat got off. The barque William Aokers was wrecked there about four years ago. The first news received by the Union Company was from the Bluff, at 10.30 a.m. It was expressing surprise that she had not arrived there. Then at 12.80 a telegram was received from Wyndham, signed by one of her sailors, giving the bare information: — "Tararua ashore at Otarau Point. Passengers safe. Assistance wanted." Mr. James Mills at onoo telegraphed to the Wyndhan operator whether, judging from what ho heard from tho sailor, tho Hawea would be sufficient. The oporator replied that h& thought so, upon vrhioh the Hawea was sent down as stated. This is the whole of the news procurable The point is far from any settlement, on a part of the coast line, and is heavily bushed. Wyndham, where the nearest telegraph office is, is a long way inland. The colonial offices principally interested iv the insurance are the National, Colonial, New South Wales Marine, and United Companies. The bulk is in the Colonial, which office, however, is pretty well re-insured, v ' Wyfdham, This Day. VThe spooial correspondent of tho Southlapd N«ws wires from Toitois :— Arrived hero from Wyndham at 2.30 this (Saturday) morning. The tidings from tho wreck are that a terrible disaster has happened. The Tararua. struok Otara Roof, about ljt mile from the shore, at 5 in the morning, it is supposed owing to the fog. The captain and chief mate are reported to have boon below at the time when the vessel struck. Tho engineer tried to reverse the flngineß, and broko his leg. The women rushed on deok in their nightdresses, and tlsß heavy sea' soon washed most of thorn off. } Three boati were got out. Ono was swamped, one got away seaward, and ono came afehore, landing five or six men. The steameir parted amidships, and numbors parishes. Several are still clinging u> the wrack. A man with a child in his arms is lashed in the rigging. A number of settlers are on the beaoh anxious to render assistance, and many are turning heartsick at seoincr fellow creatures perish beforo their eyes, and being unable to help them. Tho total number ashore is twelve mon so far. It is supposed that all the women and ohildron have perished. Tho beaoh is strewn with wrook and cargo Several pli'dtos have been piokod up. Only one body had been washed ashore last night. It is said the cries were hoartronding when the people on the wreck saw thoso on shore leaving at dark. Dunhdin, This Day. The Star has received a message from Wyndham, saying that the Tararua haa broken up amidships. Only sixteen aro believed to have been saved. It i« supposed she had nearly 100 passengers on* board. The settlers were unable to render tho slightest assistianoe. Chbibtchubch, ThiB Day. The n6ws of the drowning of passengers per Tararua caused a profound sensation here. Several highly-respooted oitizons were on board, some being en route for England.