The splendid steamer South Australian left Port Chalmers, on Tuesday afternoon; the weather had remained calm and clear here; and it was, therefore, with great surprise, as well as deep regret, that the news of her having run ashore near Coal Point was received yesterday.
The later news, confirmed by some of the passengers who returned overland to town, that the South Australian was a hopeless wreck, caused a very general feeling of sympathy for Captain Hugh Mackie, who has so long been known as the commander of the Gothenburg.
The South Australian had just been purchased and refitted by Messrs McMeekan, Blackwood, and Co. of Melbourne, after long lying idle at that port; and Capt.
Mackie having been chosen to command her, he was, we believe, heartily congratulated on his good fortune, by his many friends here.
We are told that £25,000 is a low estimate of the fair value of the South Australian, as she was when she left Port Chalmers on Tuesday.
She has always been famed as probably the swiftest steamer in Southern waters; and, her new owners having spent fully £3000 in her refit, she was in most excellent condition throughout.
Except her compasses! We believe that that will be the substantial verdict, when an inquiry comes to be made as to her loss. But that point should not be too much discussed for the present.
- April 4
