WRECK OF THE CATTERTHUN.

West Coast Times, Issue 10181, 13 August 1895, Page 3

WRECK OF THE CATTERTHUN

[Pek United Press Association.]

Sydney, Aug. 12.

Vessels arriving | report a sfci'ong current setting north iii the vicinity of of Seal Rocks. This is contrary to the general trade current. All ithe wreckage was found drifting north. Another boat, the captain's gig, vas picked up near Cape Hawke. Capt. Fawke3 states land could be seen occasionally. He could not understand how the wreck occurred, as there was only an ordinary piece of navigation. The rocks were welt-known, and vessels were naturally on the lookout for them. The wind, instead of blowing the vessel on the rooks, was in the "opposite direction. Copeman sticks to his statement the captain was washed off the bridge. . This happened while he was clinging to a spar. The quarter-master of the -Datterfchun, who was steering at the time the vessel struck', was a South Sea Islander, and not a Chinaman as at first stated. He was seen at the wheel- up to the very last and went down with the vessel, still holding the wheel. This man was on' the steamer Quetta when she was wrecked, being rescued after having floated for many hours on some of the. wreckage. A man was found dead in a boat. He died at' bis post, having stuck by her while she was being launched. Otheis of the Chinese crew who had to attend to the, launching of boats, also perished at their boats, some being dashed to death by floating ■wreckage. They stood unflinchingly throughout. THE IXQUEST. \ The inquest on the victims of the Catterth,un.ha3 begun. Fdrster f)anfer ia his evidence stated* he was in charge at the time of the vessel striking, the captain being in the chart roDm. He said he saw the light but declined to' give +he course he was steering". He did npt sea the green light, which Would indicate danger. He refused to j See Fourth Page.

say whether he altered the course during his watch or what position the Seal light bore at the time she struck.