THE WRECK OF THE CATTERTHUN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5333, 10 August 1895, Page 5

THE WRECK OF THE CATTERTHUN.

[Spkcial to Pbsss Association.] SYDNEY, August 10. The Becond mate says, every one, cap* tain, officers and men, was perfectly sober, and everything was working smoothly. The captain had not turned in, but was up and down from the bridge to the chart room all night. After the steamer struck, the crew and the passengers were orderly and quiet. The boats were cleared in ?eight minutes, and the third mate and chief steward were told off to assist the passengers. I was washed overboard after requesting the engineer to go to the captain. The vessel lies four miles north-east of Sugarioaf Point. Dx Copeman says, the chief officer, Dr Anderson, of the ship, Crane and I had been sitting smoking in the chief officer's cabin until about ten o'clock, when we all retired. Curiously enough one of the topics of conversation was the wreck of the Wairarapa. The chief officer remarked, "I have quite nude up my mind that whatever death I did I will not be drowned." Captain Fawkeß states that the night was fairly dear, as he saw the lighthouse when in the water. Further particulars chow that the survivors had a terrible experience in the boat. While being lowered ifc was struck {by a sea and a large hole knocked in the bows. As a consequance they had to keep baling during the whole time. They were in a miserably exhausted condition, and after immersion in the water their misery was accentuated by seas constantly breaking over the boat and drenching them. The cutter was picked up yesterday, containing the body of a Chinaman, with the skull smashed in. The tug picked up the bodies of two others belonging to the Asiatio crew.