TOTAL LOSS OF THE STEAMER CITY OF HOBART.

Otago Witness, Issue 1341, 11 August 1877, Page 11

TOTAL LOSS OF THE STEAMER CITY OF HOBART.

The following particulars of the loss of the above steamer, well known here, are taken from the.Sydney Herald, July 27th :—

The City of Hobart left Newcastle on Saturday, the 21st inst., at 4 p m., having on board 615 tons coalcargo and bunkers— and bound to Melbourne. She encountered strong southerly winds and a heavy southeast sea, and at 3.30 a.m. on Sunday she took refuge in Port Jackson, anchoring in Watson's Bay. At 7 a.m. on .Monday, the 23rd, the wind and sea having moderated, the steamer again proceeded on her voyage, strong south winds and an easterly swell were met with as far as Cape St. Ge irge. Thence to Cape Howe the weather gradually became fim, the wind blowing from the northwards. About half-past 1 o'clock on the afternoon of the 24*h Gabo Island was parsed. From thence fine weather was encountered, the sea being smooth. All went well until about 4.20 a.m. ou the 25th, when the captain noticed a peculiar and unusual thump in the stern of the vessel. He at once marie for the engine-room to enquire as to the cause, and heard the engine running away. It was evident from this that either the shaft had broken, or the propeller had slipped. The engineer at once used all the necessary precautions ; the influx of 'water, however, prevented any minute examination being made. By this time, although but a few seconds had elapsed, the ship had made water so fast that it was already »ver the cabin table, and it was but too evident that the shio was rapidly filling. The untoward occurrence had aroused all hands, who were at once on deck ; and seeing the imminent danger they were in, no time was lose in getting: the boats over the side, and in re idiness for leaving the vessel. Before, however, this could be accomplished, the stern of the vessel was under water, and she was sinking fast. The captain, with the assistance of his officers and crew, managed to get the compass from the binnacle, and also a couple of buckets of fresh water, and a loaf or two of bread, for the use of the boats. Two or three of the crew succeeded in saving some of their clothing, but the others, including the captain and officers, lost everything, not being able to save even their private papers and certificates The ship's register and a- tides, however, were saved. The boats remained by the vessel until she went down, which was about a quarter «f an hour after they left the steamer's s'de. The spot where the steamer foundered is absut 00 mile* north-east of Wilson's Promontory. After ihe ship went down the boats at once rounded for the nearest land, in the direction of Port Albert. Shertly after daylight a steamer's smoke was discerned in the distance, coining from the south-west. , The boats at onco got mto position with a view of getting across the steimer'a track. By about seven o'clock the steamer hid approached so near that her name, the Barrabool, could be mide out. Thanks to the good look-out kept on the Barrabool. the boats were seen, and she rounded to, picked up Captain Lowrie and his crew, and brought them on to Sydney.

The steamer was owned by Mr Wm. Summerhell, ol Sydney, the unfortunate owner of the Yarra Yarra, which foundered off Newcastle.

Two sandbanks which uncover at low water have been discovered two miles northward of the anchorage of AnpiiiiT, Formosa Island, China. Sea. They are about three-quarters of a mile from the coast.

The sho «1 marked doubtful on the chart, near Putoe Assoe, on the west of Sumatra, has been proved to exist. It extends 1J mile north-north-east from Putce Assoe. A rock awash, and which breaks in moderate weather, has been discovered in Lagoendy Strait, south-sast coast of Sumatra, south 24deg. east, 295 y&rds from Tanjonjj Blantong.