The Catterthun Disaster. [PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 46, 22 August 1895, Page 2

Th e Catterthun Disaster. [P RESS ASSOCIATION.]

SIDNEY, 21st August. i The divers have ascertained that the . Catterthun struck on the outer reef of the . Seal Books, »nd this will give the olne to i her exaot position. i Mr. Langfear, sooond officer, recalled at the enquiry, said that an error existed in , the compasses of Bii degrees east, and this was always allowed for. The oourse steered i was the nsual one going north. When he saw the Seal Bocks light it struok him that the steamer had been set in by the current, bat he had neyor before notioed it set in co 1 far. In his opinion they overran the diatanoa by tiro miles aftor leaving Port Stephens. The steersman corroborated Mr. Langfear in the statement that they were heading ! out just before she strnok. Ho denied tbat , one of the boats was cut away to preventL overorowding, and said it was only out when ■ tho ship was sinking. (Reooived August 22, 10.33 a.m.) Stdnbt, This Dat. At the inquest, Captain Fawkes (who was a passenger) deposed that while on the bridge he did not hear any orders given by the oaptain of the Catterthun. If the vessel was two miles off Port Stephens, and steering north 30 degrees east, she would not clear the Seal Bocks.