The Wreck of the Catterthun

Southland Times, Issue 13288, 15 August 1895, Page 2

The Wreck of the Catterthun

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, Aug.Jl4. Received 14th, 10.30 p.m. At the inquest on the Catterthun victims the second mate, recalled, said that at 2 o’clock on Thursday morning he had a conversation with the captain and pointed out that he thought that the vessel required hauling off the coast. The Sugar Loaf light then showed a bearing which caused him to form the opinion that the ship was too close in. The vessel was then four miles from the light, which was on the port bow. The captain replied—“ Well, alter the course to north 40 east.” Witness promptly obeyed the order. The ship first struck on the port bow abreast of the fore rigging, and then amidships. The first blow was severe, the second slight. When he caught a glimpse of the Seal Rocks on the port side was eight minutes before she struck. He hauled her out three points more, aud informed the captain, who was in the act of coming on ths bridge when she struck. Witness then left the bridge to call all hands. The chief officer subsequently told him that after consultation the captain had decided to beach the ship which had hit a reef not the rocks. The steamer, which was travelling 11| knots, became unmanageable eight minutes after striking, being waterlogged, and the reason why she heeled to starboard was owing to coal falling out of the hold on the port side. The only remark the captain made was “ Good God, what has she struck?" Witness replied that it was the reef off Seal Rock. The two look-out men had reported no danger, and had he not altered the course the ship would have gone right on the reef.