LOSS OF THE S.S. TARANAKI

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2729, 8 September 1868, Page 3

LOSS OF THE S.S. TARANAKI

THE NARRATIVE OF A PASSENGER. Tiik return of the s.s. Lady Bird on Aug. 22, has enabled us to obtain a fuller and more complete narrative than has yet been published of the wreck of the ill-fated Taranaki. We can add very littleto .tlie account so graphically given by Mr Win, Allen, one of the passengers, which we subjoin. As an actor in tho scene, he has de.-eribed it both naturally and truthfully. The s.s. Lady Bird under Captain Renner, which left Wellington on Thursday, to visit the scene of the wreck returned to port on Saturday, and we learn that when she left, the Taranaki was lying nearly upright in 13^fathoms of water, in Bowden's Bay. Owing to the configuration of the bay which takes a sudden bond inwards whero the vessel is lying, it is not considered likely that she will be sucked further out by the tide, as she is to a great extent out of its influence. The Directors of the N.Z.S.N. Company have, wo understand, resolved on makin"' an effort to raise the steamer. Practical men assure ns that the thing can be done if the necessary outlay be made. The affair is simply a question of money, and we suppose the expenditure would be considerable, as two largo vessels would require to be employed. The vessel cost, we believe, a sum of £13,000 ; and tho cargo on board has been estimated at £10,000 more. The latter however is only an estimate and may bo very wide of the mark. The depositions taken at Pictcm, which we publish below will fully explain the circumstances connected with the loss of this vessel, but as the official enquiry uudcr the act will take place to-day in the Resident Magistrate's Court at 11 o'clock before J. Coutts Crawford, R.M. and Captain Johnson, of tho Marino Board, sitting as Nautical Assessor, wo refrain in the meantime from any premature comments on the subject.