TARARUA WRECK
Today is the anniversary of one of the most appalling disasters'in the annals of New Zealand shipping. On April 29, 1881, the Union Steam Ship Company's Tararua, with 150 people on board,, struck the Otara Heef whilst en route from Port Chalmers to Melbourne. A premature report said that all aboard were safe, but the truth was that, after three boats had been sent off to find a landing place on the shore, •which was visible half a mile away, a terrific gale arose. One boat was swamped, 'another escaped seaward, and the third was driven ashore. Although there were two good harbours within a few miles, those on the wreck could not be communicated with from, the shore. Finally the Tararua broke in two, and at darkness pnly the bow was left. The Kakanui could only stand by, as the seas were too heavy for boats. When day broke all that was left of the Tararua was a lone spar. Only 30 of the 150 people aboard were saved.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19370429.2.131
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1937, Page 11
Word Count
172TARARUA WRECK Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1937, Page 11
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