THE WRECK OF THE CATTERTHUN.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXI, Issue 195, 10 August 1895, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE CATTERTHUN.

-+ FURTHER DETAILS. BRAVERY OF THE CHINAMEN. [UNITED PBEB9 ASSOCIATION.] Sydney, August 9. Mr Bmith, a passenger hy the Oattherthan, was the late navigating lieutenant of the warship Woolverine. He was going to Ohina to seek employment, and leaves a widow and son m Bydney. The Chinese passengers included a Melbourne merchant connected with the firm of Wing Tye and Co., going to China on pleasure. Cape. Shannon's wife is completely prostrated. Great praise is given to the Chinese crew for the way they stood to their posts and worked m the face of almost insurmountable difficulties to get boats out. The National Bhipwreck Society has taken m hand the task of relieving any distress caused by the wreck. Salvage operations will depend on the depth of water over the veßxol. If she foundered on the seaward side of the rocks it is considered the depth will be tou great to permit divers to work, but if the vessel was carried towards shallower water there will be a possibility of recovering the mails and the more valuable portion of the cargo. The Underwriters' await a report from the second mate. The Marine Board will begin an equiry as soon as the survivors reach Sydney, where they are expected to-morrow. Tugs are continuing the search, but it is almost generally considered hopeless, as it is believe! that all except those saved m the lifeboat were engulfed when the vessel sank. A few friends only, refuse to abandon hope. The cutter picked up evidently broke, loose when the Cattherthun saak. Ships arriving to-day all report no signs of life or wreckage. Captain Fawkes states that on rising to the surface he struck a plank, to which he clung, and was afterwards joined by the seoond officer. While m the water, he noticed the rays from the lighthouse. He has no definite idea where they struck, but thinks it was about four miles north-east of the lighthouse. From the time the ship struck, mosc admirable discipline was shown. No one was flurried, and there was aa entire absence of panic. The captain and officers gave orders cooly, and the crew cheerfully obeyed. Wellington, August 9. The mail of August Ut for Hong Kong, and Bluff mails of Ist, 20th and 2»th July for the same place were on board the Catterthun. Sydney, August 9. The tugs haye returned after thoroughly searching the vicinity of the wreck for miles along the coast. They picked up the cutter belonging to the Catterthun, but beyond this there was no trace of the missing people or wreckage. The survivors are doing well. Among the Chinese passengers was a widow with four young children.