THE WRECK OF A STEAMER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5333, 10 August 1895, Page 6

THE WRECK OF A STEAMER.

♦ i LATEST DETAILS. ! [Special to Press Association.,! SYDNEY, August 9. The tuga have returned after a thorough searching of the vicinity of the wreck for miles along the coaß*. They picked up the cutter belonging to the Catterthun. Beyond this no trace of the xnisoing people or wreckage was diecovered. The survivors are doing well. Among the Chinese passengers were a widow and four young children. Smith, a passenger by the Catterthun, was late navigating lieutenant of the warship Wolverine. He vaa going to China to seek employment, and leaves a widow and eon in Sydney. The Chinese passengers included a Melbourne merchant connected with the firm of Wing, Tye and Co., going to China on pleasure. Captain Shannon's wife io completely prostrated. Great praise is given the Chinese crew for the way they stood to their posts and worked in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties to geb the boats out. The National Shipwreck Society has taken in hand the task of relieving any distress caused by the wreck. Salvage operations will depend on the depth of water ovar the vessel. If she foundered on the seaward side of the rocks it is considered that the depth will be too great to permit divers to work, but if the vessel was carried towards shallower water there will be a possibility of recovering the mails and the more valuable portion of the cargo. The Marine Board will begin an inquiry as soon as the survivors reach Sydney, where they are expected to-morrow. The tugs are continuing the search, but it is almost generally considered hopeless, as it is beiieved that all except those Eaved in the lifeboat were engulfed when the vessel sank. A few friends only refuse to abandon hope. The cutter picked up evidently broke loose when the Catterthun sank. Ships arriving to-day all report no sign of life or wreckage. Captain Fawkes states that on rising he struck a plank, to which he clung, and he was afterwards joined by the second officer. When in the water he noticed rays from the lighthouse. Ha has no definite idea where they struck, but thinks it was about four miles north-east of the lighthouse. From the time the vessel struck the most admirable discipline was shown. No one wbb flurried, and there was an entire absence of panic. The captain and officers gave orders coolly, and the crew cheerfully obajed. [PER PbKSS ASSOCIATION. 1 WELLINGTON, August 9. The Wellington mail of August 1 for Hongkctog. and the Bluff mails of July 20 and 29 for the same place were on board the Catterthun. DUNEDIN, August 9. There are no New Zealand passengers on the Catterthun. This is the first of the company's liners for some time past that has had no returning Chinamen.