FURTHER DETAILS.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 101, 2 May 1881, Page 2

FURTHER DETAILS.

The Fortrose correspondent of the Otago Times telegraphs that a terrible sea arose with the flood tido after tho Tararua struck on the reefs, breaking over over her and sweeping her from stern to bows. Tho vessel filled immediately after striking. After the boats left, tho passengers remaining on board took to the rigging and bows, but numbers were washed off by each succeeding sea, while others who attempted to reach the shore by the aid of piecos of wood and life-buoya, were drowned in tho Burf. It was quite impossible to assist the poor oreatures from the shore, although within sight. The vessel and cargo broke up, and the beaoh was strewn with Wreckage", of all descriptions. Yesterday only one. person came ashore. After tho boats were found useless the vessel parted amidships towards the afternoon, and at 2.35 this morning she became a total wreck, tho masts breaking up and the hull went over broadside, drowning all who remained on board. Those on Bhore doolaro it was heartrending to contemplate their inability to help two brave swimmers who battled for life, floating with a plank. One— a splendid swimmer — left the plank at tho edge of the eurf, and came in with a roller, struggling within a few yards of land, but was taken out by the back drift. The reef extends seven miles out, and tho men landed almost naked, but clothes were sent ont to thorn at the order of Mr. J. S. Shanks to supply thoir wants, and tho kindness of Mr. Brunton was unbounded. Singularly, the body that oame ashore had a life-buoy attaohod, and life was soarocly extinct, but all means to restore it wero unavailing.