The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-11-01
1874 Drowned.
Wreck OF Union Line Steam
ship Wairaraha.
Fearful Loss OF Life on The Coast Of
New Zealand.

AUCKLAND, n. H., Nov. Further par
ticulars in regard to the wreck of the
Union Line steamship Wairaraha, Capt.
Mcintosh, bound from Sydney, n. S. w.
for this port, which was wrecked on Sun
day night off Great Barrier Island,
on the Northeast coast of New
Zealand last night, from Sydney, N. S. W.,
shows that the loss OF life is not SO great
as first reported. The first report had it
that 112 ofthe Wairnraha's passengers were
drowned, but it now seems that 81 passen-
gers and 40 OF the crew were saved by the
lines thrown ashore and by boats Of the
steamer. On the other hand, Captain Me-
1ntosh, IS passengers and % OF the steam
ships crew were drowned. These are the
figures which are given out by Lloyd's
agents here.
SYDNEY, n. S. W., Nov. 1.-Lloyd's
agent here now confirms he statement
previously cabled To the Associated Press
that Ill passengers and % Of the crew Of
the Union Line steamship Wairaraha,
were drowned in the wreck OF that ves-
sci off the coast OF New Zealand.
Additional details regarding the loss OF
the Wairaraha have been received and the
passengers rescued have arrived here.
The steamship struck at midnight during
heavy weather, when rough sea was
running. The passengers were
aroused and rushed in terror
upon deck, where lie belts were served
out and preparations were mde to lower
the boats. The women passengers and
children were placed in the boats, but
several of the latter were capsized while
being lowered. The crew then con-
structed RATS and ran line ashore with
great difficulty and succeeded by the aid
OF a sort Of breechcs- buoy in rescuing
number of people who would otherwise
have boen drowned. When the
passengers saw the danger an which
they zwere placed, many pathetic
and heartrending scenes were witnessed.
But there was no panic. IL was with the
greatest difficulty that the boats were
launched, rs heavy seas were con-
Ninually breaking over the vessel,
WHICH was soon partly submerged.
thus rendering the work of rescue
more difficult than ever. The life RATS
were cut adrift aud many Of the survivors
were saved by this means and Others
clung to improvised rats and were res
sued from the shore. When the passen-
gers rushed on deck, many of
them sought refuge on the bridge
Of the steamship until heavy seas swept a
number OF them overheard and caused
those who were unable TO find places In
the boats or on the RATS to escape TO the
rigging where they remained until day
light.
There is no doubt that many more pas
songers would have been drowned had 1t
not been for the gallantry OF two seamen
who swan ashore with line and event.
naily hauled ashore stout rope
which was used later on in the work
Of rescue. Nearly all the survivors
reached the shore in the scantiest cloth
lng and some of them remained on the
rocks for 30 hours. subsisting on oranges
which washed ashore from the wreck.
Mhefs the disaster became known to thu
Msoris on land these natives launched
their small boats and succeeded in rescu-
ing number OF people. Assistance was
finally received from Port Fitzroy and the
Survivors of the Wairaraha were brought
here