SCENE AT THE WRECK.
The Fortrose correspondent of the Times telegraphs that a terrible sea arose with the flood tide, after the Tararua struck on the reef, breaking and sweeping from stern to bows. The vessel filled immediately after striking.
The boats were launched, but only succeeded in landing seven steerage passengers and six seamen. One boat is still absent, in which are the second mate, three sailors, and two steerage passengers.
The balance of the passengers took to the rigging and bows, but numbers were washed off by each succeeding sea, while
others who attempted to reach the shore by the aid of pieces of wood and life buoys, were drowned in the surf. It was quite impossible to assist the poor creatures from thu shore, although they were within sight. The vessel and cargo broke up, and the beach was strewn with wreckage of a'l descriptions. Yesterday only one person came ashore after the boats were found useless. The vessel parted amidships towards the afternoon. At 2.35 this morning she became a total wreck, the masts breaking and the hull canting over by the broadside, drowning all who remained on board.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WCT18810502.2.9.2
Bibliographic details
West Coast Times, Issue 3765, 2 May 1881, Page 2
Word Count
193SCENE AT THE WRECK. West Coast Times, Issue 3765, 2 May 1881, Page 2
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.