WRECK OF THE U.S.S. CO.'S WAIRARAPA.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 36, 2 November 1894, Page 2

WRECK OF THE U.S.S. CO.'S WAIRARAPA.

TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. captatn Macintosh and 112 passengers and crew DROWNED. [Special to tho Timks.] On Sunday night the Wairarapa, which was overdue from Sydney, ran ashore on the northern point -of the Great Barrier Island, which lies at the entrance to the Auckland Harbor.

It was intensely dark and thick weather at the time of the occurrence. It is surmised that the vessel was steering a wide course so as to clear the small islands lving along the coast on the course from the Bay of Islands to Auckland, and had overrun her distance southwards when she met with the disaster. Captain Macintosh was in charge on the bridge at the time and displayed the utmost coolness and courage under the fearful circumstauces. He ordered the boats to be lowered, but as a heavy sea was running it was almost impossible to get any of the passengers into them. Passengers were put into the boats on the starboard side whilst attached to the davits, as the dock on that side was under water, but as soon as they were lowered the rough sea capsized them and most of those in them were drowned.

A number were saved by getting on life belts and keeping themselves afloat until rescued by the boats which were afloat.

The passengers crowded on to the bridge where Captaiu Macintosh remained giving orders, but the heavy sea breaking over the vessel carried the bridge and funnel away when a great many were washed overboard aud drowned, including Captain Macintosh.

A number got into the rigging, and as soon as daylight broke were rescued by means of lines which two of the crew heroically sniam ashore with. Two who were oouaing ashore by means of the lines, becoming exhausted let- go their hold and were drowned.

Nothing was saved; some of the survivors baviug nothing bat their night clothes on. The survivors were on the rocks for 30 hours without food and almost destitute of clothing, until they were discovered by Maoris, who took thenf to Catherine Bay, whence they were brought to Auckland by the s.s. Argyle. Twenty-one of the officers and crew and 91 passengers were drowned.