THE WRECK OF THE CATTERTHUN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5337, 15 August 1895, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE CATTERTHUN.

THE INQUEST.

[SPJCCIIL TO PIJRSS AsiOOUTION.j SYDNEY, Auotbt 14. At the inquest on the C&tterthun victims, the seoond mate, re-called, said that at two o'clock on Thursday morning he had a conversation with the captain* and pointed out that he thought the vessel required hauling out. The Sugar Light then showed a bearing which caused him to form the opinion that the veßcel was too close in. The vessel was then foot miles off the light, which was on the. port bow. The captain replied, "Well, alter the oonrse north, 40 east." Witness promptly obeyed the order. The ship first struok on the port bow, abreast of the fore rigging, and then amidships. The first blow was severe and the second slight. When ho caught ft glimpse of the Beal Books on the port side^ it was eight minuteß before she struok. He hauled her out;three points more, and informed the captain, who was in tbe act of coming on the bridge when she struck. Witness then left the bridge to call all hands. The chief officer subsequently told him that after consul* tation the captain had decided to beach the ship, which hit the reef, and not the rock. Everybody was sober. The steamer was travelling Hi knots. She became unmanageable eight minutes after striking! being waterlogged, and the reason she heeled to starboard was owing to coal falling out of the hold on the port side. The only remark the captain made wa», "Good God, what has Bhe struokP" Witnesß replied, "The reef off Seal Book." The second mate said that the two look* out men had repotted no danger, and had he not altered the course the ship would have gone right on the reef. ■ The inquest was adjourned to obtain witnesses from Sydney.