The Wreck of the Catterthun

Southland Times, Issue 13286, 13 August 1895, Page 2

The Wreck of the Catterthun

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, Aug. 12. Vessels arriving report, a strong current setting to the north in the vicinity of the Seal Rocks; this is contrary to the general trend of the current. All the wreckage found was drifting north, and the captain’s gig has beenpicked up off Cape Hawke. Capt, Fawkes states thatlthe land could be seen occasionally. He cannot understand how the wreck occurred as it was only an ordinary piece of navigation. The Seals are well known, and vessels are naturally on tho lookoutfor them. The wind, instead of blowing the vessel on the rocks, was in an opposite direction. He thinks the steamer travelled three or four miles sfter striking. An inquest on the bodies of the victims of the Catterthun disaster began to day. Forester Ltnfear in his evidence stated that he was in charge at the time the vessel struck, the captain being in the chart room. He saw the Seal Rocks light, but declined to give the course he was steering. He did not see the green light, which would have indithe ship was in a dangerous position. He refused to say whether he altered the course during his watch or what position the Seal light bore at the time the ship struck.