The Wreck of the Catterthun

Southland Times, Issue 13285, 12 August 1895, Page 2

The Wreck of the Catterthun

United Press Association—By Electbio Telegbafh —Copyright.

Sydney, Aug. 9.

Mr Smith, a passenger by the Catterthun, was at one time navigating lieutenant of the warship Wolverine. He was going to China to seek employment, and leaves a widowand son in Sydney. The Chinese passengers included a Melbourne merchant connected with the firm of Wing, Tye and Co. going to China on pleasure. The National Shipwreck Society has taken in hand the task of relieving any distress caused by the wreck.

Captain Fawkes states that when in the water he noticed the rays from the lighthouse. He has no definite idea of where the ship struck, but thinks it was about four miles east of the lighthouse. From the time she struck most admirable discipline was shown. No one was flurried, and there was an entire absence of panic. The captain and officers gave orders coolly and the crew cheerfully obeyed. The night was fairly clear. Further particulars show 1 that the survivors had a terrible experience in the boat which was the means of saving their lives. When the boat was being lowered it was struck by a sea and a large hole knocked in the bows. As a consequence they had to bale during the whole time. They were in a miserable and exhausted condition after immersion and their misery was accentuated by the seas which constantly broke over the boat, drenching the occupants. The cutter picked up yesterday contained the body of a Chinaman with lis skull smashed in. A tug picked up the bodies of two others of the crew.

The second mate says that everyone was perfectly sober, and every thing was working smoothly. The captain had not turned in, but was up and down from the bridge to the chart room all night. The boats were cleared in eight minutes, and the third mate and steward were told off to assist the passengers. He (the mate) was washed overboard after requesting the engineer to go to the captain. The vessel lies about four miles N.E. of Sugar Loaf Point.

Dr Copemun says.: "The chief officer, Dr Anderson, Crane and I were smoking in the chief officer’s cabin until 10 o’clock, when we all retired. Curiously, one’ of the topics of the conversation was the wreck of the Wairarapa, and the chief officer remarked, I have quite made up my mind that whatever death I die, I will not be drowned.” Aug, 10. Received 11th, 8.20 p.m. It is belived that Fraser and Smith were drowned in their cabins. The women were drowned apparently because they were afraid to leave the saloon when thev saw the great inrush of water that followed the opening of the door by the ohief steward. A Chinese quartermaster who took the wheel at midnight states that the Second mate altered the course four points to the eastward. This would show that in his opinion the vessel was hugging the land too closely. Mr Crane states that Mrs Mathias asked him for a lifebelt. He went to get it but in the darkness could not open the locker. He then fastened his own belt on her. When he attempted to leave the saloon the door was jammed by the water which was then up tn his knee; io tho saloon, A Chinese steward after

difficulty opened it and the water instantly rushed in. The Chinese steward and him* self left the saloon but the three ladies and the chief steward did not follow. They found the water on the main deck up to their waists. He noticed that the ship was heading for the land, with the lighthouse on the port bow. After the ship foundered he got on top.,of a meat safe and was there joined by a Chinese who, in a bland persuasive tone, said “ More better for you go catchee another piece of box.” He replied “More better yon.” The Celestial declined the invitation. The safe, however, amply supported both. They heard shouts and cries of distress, but only men’s voices. Aug. 11. Received 12th, 0.35 a.m. ' The Catterthun’s survivors have arrived here. Tugs picked up a second empty cutter; also Wreckage, and another body, some distance from the scene. A quantity of wreckage was also sighted in the vicinity of Crowdy Head. The Chinese are old servants of the company and they speak English. Their boatswain states that three boats were smashed one after another while . being lowered and the people in them carried overboard by the tremendous seas. He saw one man crushed against the davits and killed. No. 1 boat, containing the survivors got clear of the steamer as the steamer began to heel oyer and just managed to escape from the whirlpool in which the Catterthun sank. They pulled round several times in search of survivors, while aboard he saw no passengers about the deck. When the last boat was ready to lower the captain shouted from the bridge for the crew to clear out as the ship was sinking. He is positive it was the captain; he could not mistake his voice and saw his figure plainly.' It was previously stated that Captain Shannon was washed from the bridge at tho same time as the first officer and Captain Fawkes before the vessel sank. If they had been half a minute later in lowering the boat no one would have been saved. If the weather had been fine all would have been saved as there were sufficient boats and all were ready for lowering. The crew, he says, obeyed orders and never attempted to save themselves until ordered hy the captain. The narrative of a Chinese steward clears up the fate of a lady and some other passengers. He states that when he went below after the first alarm he found that all had gone back to their berths, apparently thinking there was no danger, but when they saw the water rushing in they appeared to be seized with panic. The chief steward stayed in the saloon until the water rose breast high, trying to persuade them to come out. They persistently refused and finally the stewards had to leave to save themselves. He found the door leading to the deck fast, but after a great effort he opened it sufficiently to pass his leg through and the force of the water burst it open. The steward says he once more returned and called for the ladies—Dr Anderson and Mr Fraser were with them—to come out but they still refused. He then made for the deck and the steamer sank as he reached it.

Both Lanfear (the second officer) and Captain Fawkes state that they never sighted the green light of the lighthouse, which would have warned them of the danger. It is believed that this will form the defence of the former, who was in charge when the ship struck.