THE OHAU.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11901, 26 May 1899, Page 5

THE OHAU.

ALL HOPE ABANDONED. rpES Press Association.] L DUNEDIN, May 25. The Union Steamship Company has issued y, circular to branch managers regarding thfe Ohau. In this, the managin gdirector says: “There is now every reason to fear that lh*e Ohau foundered in a gale in Cook Strait. Her masthead light was last seen at 5.20 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. Until a few days ago it was confidently anticipated that the Ohau would turn up, but the Brunner’s search having proved unavailing, the conclusion is forced on the directors that she has foundered with all hands. The loss is very distressing to the directors, as many of the officers and crew belonged to Dunedin, and they are brought very closely into touch with the widespread sorrow entailed by her loss. The relatives and friends of those missing have the heartfelt sympathy of the directors and staff in their present bereavement. In order to be in a position to answer anxious inquiries, a full list of the officers and crew is forwarded.” The Ohau had no passengers. The following is the list of officers and crew, as per articles: —Richard Brewer, master, married; Murdoch M’Pherson, chief officer, married; Robert Hogg Warrender, second officer, single; J. F. Heddell, lamp-trimmer and A.B., t singie; A Taylor, J. Martin, W. Carey, J. Angus, and A. Waibe, all A.B.’s and single ; W. J. Nicfaolls, deckboy ; Robert Bums, chief engineer, married ; John Young, second engineer, married ; D. Grant Stevenson, third engineer, single; J. W. Charnock, donkey-man, married ; J. Underwaad, W. Denny, J. Ferguson and B. Wilson, firemen, all single; Joseph Fielder, chief steward, widower; A. Pender, second steward, single; A. Schofield, cook, single; A. G. Matheson, purser, single. The officers were insured as follows: —Captain Brewer, master, £750; Mr Maepherson, chief officer, £500; Mr Warrender, second officer, £2OO ; Mr Bums, chief engineer, £500; Mr Young, second engineer, £400; Mr Grant, third engineer, £500; Mr Matheson, purser, £2OO. The company claims that this shows the wisdom of the regulations requiring all the officers to insure their lives, the company contributing a portion of the premium. The managing director has instructed that all the company’s vessels shall carry their flags half-mast high on Sunday next, as a token of respect to the memory of the officers and crew of the Ohau. This will be done at all ports.