The Latest.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12122, 12 August 1895, Page 3

The Latest.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE SURVIVORS AT SYDNEY. THK BOATSWAIN'S STATEMENT. S-DtfET, August 10. i The survivors have arrived here. i Arrangements are being made by the 1 agents of th. company for the aceomoda- ] tion of the crew at a Chinese boarding- ] house. 1 The tugs picked up a second empty cutter, a'so wreckage, and another lady, some distance from the scent). A quantity of wreckage was also sighted in tbe ♦icinity of Crowdy. Head. * The Chinese are old servants of the ■ Company and they spflik English. They, had a mo.t thrilling experience, Tbeir boatswain state's that ' three boats smashed one after another while being lowered, and tho people in them carried ' overboard by the tremendous Beas. He saw one min ciushtd against the davits and killed before his eyes. Number one boat, containing the survivors, got clear of the steamer as if by a miracle. As she was being lowered the steamer began to heel, and the boat bumping against the side had a plank stove in. The boat just managed to escape from the whirlpool in which the Catterthun a.nb, though she was almost engulfed. The boat leaked badly, and the seas were breaking aboard, several of the occupants being constantly kept bailing. They had a continuous fear that she would swamp. The boat sailed round several times in seirch of survivors. , While aboard he saw.no passengerß about deck. Wben the last boat was ready to lower tho captain shouted from the bridgo for the crew to cloar out as_ tin ship was sinking. He wa. positive it was tbe captain. He could not mistake his voico and saw the figure plainly. This ia important as it was previou-ly.B'ated that the captain was washed from the bridge at the same time as the officers and Captain Fawkes before the vessel sink. The boatswain states that if they had been half a minute later in lowering the bost not one would have been eaved. If the weather had been fine all would have been saved, as there were sufficient boats and were ready for lowering, Tha crew, he says, simply obeyed orders, and never attempted to save themselves until ordered by the captain. The narrative of the Chinese steward clears up the fate of the lady and some of the other pass.ngerß,and I states t^i.t when he went below after tbe firßt alarm, he found tbey bad all gone back to their bunks, apparently thinking there was no danger, but when tbey saw the water rushing in they appeared to be seized witb panic The chief Bteward stayed in the saloon until the water rose breatt high trying to persuade tbem to come .nt. lhey persistently refused. Finally the stewards had to l.ave to save themselves. He fonnd the door leading to the deck fast, but after a great effort ppened ic' sufficiently to p.ss his lgg through, and the force ot the water burst it open, The steward Bays he once more returned and called for the ladies and Dr Anderson and Mr Fraser, who were with them, to come out, but they still refused. He then made for the deck, and the steamer sank as he reached it. Both Latfear (second officer), and Captain Fawkes state that they never sighted tbe green t-uidiuE* light on the rocks, which irould have waned them of the danger. It is believed that this will form the defence of the former, who was . in charge of the bridge whan the vessel struck.