WRECK OF TARARUA RECALLED

Southland Times, Issue 24421, 29 April 1941, Page 4

WRECK OF TARARUA RECALLED

TRAGEDY 60 YEARS AGO TODAY Sixty years ago today the s.s. Tararua, from Port Chalmers en route to .Melbourne, ran on the reef at Waipapa Point and 131 persons lost their lives. The Tararua, a vessel of 563 tons, was rigged as a three-masted schooner, with steam propulsion. The present Waipapa lighthouse is near the scene of the shipwreck. Shortly after striking, the vessel filled with water. During the morning no actual attempt was made to remove the passengers and crew. At daylight a boat in charge of the second mate was rowed towards the shore and from it a passenger named Lawrence swam to the beach and then set out for a house about half a mile away. As a result Charles Gibbs rode to Wyndham, 35 miles away, to telegraph news of the wreck and to summon assistance. The second mate’s boat returned just after midday with six passengers who were reported to be good swimmers. Lawrence helped three ashore, the others being drowned. Another attempt to swim ashore resulted in three more passengers being drowned, and as the seas were too rough to return to the vessel, the boat stood out to sea, where it was picked up next day by the Prince Rupert under Captain Hanning. Meanwhile, a boat under the chief officer tried to get a line ashore, but capsized, eight of the nine on board reaching the shore safely. About 2 p.m. the vessel started to break up and drift inshore. The passengers and crew were removed to the forepart, over which a big sea broke, washing away about 20. Of these only one, the chief cook, reached the shore alive. The ship finally sank about 2.35 a.m. on April 30, taking to a watery grave 131 men, women and children. The bodies of a large number were recovered and buried in the Fortrose Cemetery and also in the Otara Cemetery. Thus ended the most tragic shipwreck that has occurred around the southern shores. As a result of the tragedy, a modern lighthouse was erected close by as a beacon for mariners in the years to come.