A TERRIBLE WRECK.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 147, 25 June 1881, Page 4

A TERRIBLE WRECK.

Ihe late deplorable wrcok of tho ateamor Tararaa, by striking a reef at Waipapapa Point, New Zealand, with the loss of 100 persons (says the Melbourne Bulletin) recalls to recollection a much more calamitous wreck, which occurred some five-and-thirty years ago in 13ass' btraits, and sent a thrill of horror through tho then community of Melbourne. 'ihe Cataraqm sailed from Liverpool for Port Phillip, with immigrants and a crow of forty-six. She had a proeperous voyage uF.til the last two or three days, when the Captain was unable, by tho stato of tho weather, to take the necessary observations; and on entering Bass Straita,, miscalculating his position, the ship, in the darkness of a winter's morning, struck on a shoal on tho west coast of King's Island. Captain Finlay, tho commander, who had been onco beforo through the Straits, did all that a true seaman could, in which he was loyally supported by his crew, but to no effect. As tho boats were launched over the side, they were smashed in pieces by the breakers, and out of tho wholo hive of human beii)gs only nine were saved, i.e., the chiot mate (a Mr. Gathrie), ono immigrant, six ablo seamen, and a ship's boy, an apprentice. Tho captain, a Dublin man, who left a wite and family in Liverpool, went down at his post, as did also two doctors, brothers named Carpenter, one of whom was tho Burgeon in charge, and tho other coming to Bettle in Australia. Four hundred and fourteen persons porished, of whom 376 were immigrants, mostly married, with soventy-three children, all of whom shared tho watery grave of their parents. The nine survivors were for a couple of day 3 almost starved on tho island, until they were discovered by a Mr. David Howie, who had a party of sealer 3on tho other aide ( and ono morning noticing some wreckage, ho hnmanely set forth in the hope of being ablo to render succour to any one unfortunately in need of it. Only for this, tho nina castaways would have died of hunger. Howie provided for them as far as his limited stores would permit, and the next day signalled a passing cutter, in which tho men were sent to Melbourne. They were treated very kindly by the townspeople, who got up a publio subscription in their aid, ¦which was supplemented by £60, the proceeds of a benefit generously given for the purpose by Mr. Georgo Coppin, at the timo' lesseo of Smith Theatre, in Quoen-streot. Howie was also presented with a testimonial for his praiaoworthy conduct, and at the request and expense of tho Government he returned to King's Island and collected and buried all tho bodies thrown ashore. He found the beach literally strewed with human remains, and out of the 414 drowned he recovered 304 corpses, which were interred in four large graves. Tho Government also canscd a rude monument, with an inscribed tablet, to be erected opposite the spot where the wreck occurred. This was placed on an elevated piece of ground within 100 yards of the beach, and, in fine, clear weather, could bo soon at a league's distance at sea. It would be well to ascertain if this memento bo still in existence, for, if not, it should certainly be renewed.