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- Item No: 13 of 41
- Ref: 1985-02-025
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Tararua -1881
Description
The steamer 'Tararua' belonging to the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, left Dunedin on April 28th 1881 for Melbourne via the Bluff, having about 100 passengers on board.
About 5am. On April 30th, she struck on the Waipapapa Reef, 23 Miles from the Bluff. There was heavy fog at the time and the vessel was going ahead at full speed. She ran right on top of the reef before any warning of danger was given.
The majority of passengers and crew were drowned, but one boat with 5 passengers and the second mate got away to seaward, and another boat landed 5 men on the Waipapapa Point.
Divers were later employed to recover £4000 of specie in defaced silver coin which was on board, and these men bought up some of the mail bags.
- Item No: 13 of 41
- Ref: 1985-02-025
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