PARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9287, 30 November 1878, Page 2

PARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER.

Wellington, JNov 30.

It was calm when the Taranaki left at 4,30 p.m. for Auckland. A fog soon came overhead, and when daylight set in the fog lifted. 75 passengers were aboard, including men, women, and children. There were 25 in the forecabin. With the crew there were 100 aboard. About breakfast time the weather was calm but foggy. The ship struck (heavily and bumped four times. They then saw fronting them a precipice 300 feet high, the bowsprit almost touching the cliff. The engines were kept full speed ahead as long possible, until there was no danger of flipping off into deep water. There was some delay before the boats were got out, but the women and children were ■afely landed, though some slight temporary confusion arose through the eagerBess to get into the boats, but nothing occurred worthy of mention. About two hours after striking the cliff an officer was despatched to Tauranga. The vesßel began to settle down at the stern and all the lower compartments below decks began to fill. Provisions had by this time been put upon the island for the people, and in a short time the Lancashire Lass and the Waratah came up and the captain put the women and children on board the cutters, but then the Staffa, steamer, was sighted coming up, and in a short time all the passengers with such luggage as was saved, were put on board. The passengers heartily cheered Captain Malcolm as they were leaving, he having elected to remain by the wreck till night. The ship was three miles out of her course when she struck, and it is supposed that she drifted. The fog was bo thick that the land could not be seen until witbin a few yards off, perhaps 30 or 40. The vessel lies on the port bilge, and being broken cannot possibly be got off. Some of the cargo will perhaps be saved if the weather keeps calm.