WRECK OF THE CAWARRA .
[From the Sydney Morning Herald, July 13.]
It is our painful duty to again, record one of those terrible catastrophies which from time to time break in upon the community blanching the cheek, and making the stoutest heart to tremble. Shipwreck at all times is to be regretted, but when attended with loss of life, as on this occasion, is fearful to contemplate. The Gawarra, one of the finest steamers in the colonies, with a large and valuable cargo, and over 50 souls on board, started on her voyage for Brisbane and Rock hampton on the afternoon of the 11th instant, and within 24 hours, at one fell swoop, ship, cargo, and it is feared both passengers and crew have passed away, and that, too, within sight of hundreds of persons willing, but, alas, unable to render the slightest aid. The first intimation of the disaster was received by telegraph, by the Government, yesterday afternoon, at 3.30 p.m., and was to the follow ing effect, and dated from Newcastle :- "That the steamer Cawarra had struck on the Oyster Bank and broke in two." This was followed by another, announcing that the vessel was breaking up, a number of passengers were seen clinging to the poop, and that the lifeboat was going to rescue; but it was feared she would not be able to reach them. The third and last message stated that the lifeboat went off, but found not a vestage of the wreck. It was supposed she must have gone down almost immediately, and it was feared that all hands were lost.
Unfortunately, telegraphic communication with Newcastle is interrupted, so that no further particulars can be obtained at present and all is conjecture as to the reason for her being near Newcastle at all. A slight accident to the machinery, the heavy gale that blew with fearful violence throughout the night on which she sailed, and many other causes might necessitate her seeking a port of refuge; but it is to be feared the true cause will ever remain a mystery. Captain Chatfield, her commander, was a gentleman of first-class reputation as a seaman, and has for many years been intimately connected with steamships, and was specially noted for his great care and attention when at sea, and was highly. respected by a numerous circle of friends. The Cawarra was the property of the A. S. N. Co., and arrived from England about two years ago ; she has since been a regular trader between this port and Brisbane.

The following is a list of the passengers: — For Brisbane, steerage — Alexander Brash, John Marsden, George Seaward, Michael M'Lennan, and seven Chinese. For Rockhampton: Cabin — Mrs Cramp and child, Miss Anderson, Mr A. Anderson, Mr Machefer. Steerage — Mr and Mrs John Paterson, Samuel King, and six Chinese. The list of the crew, are:— Captain Henry Cbatfield, late of the Boomerang (s.); chief officer, Mr M'Dowell, who commanded the steamer Florence Irving on her passage from England to Sydney; second officer, Mr Burrows, leaves a wife and six children; chief engineer, Mr Fountain ; second engineer, Mr Harkencross; stewardess, Miss Kate Crozier, fore cabin steward, John Darwen; Stephen Goddard, pantryman;- Murray, fireman; John M'Diarmid, cook. The only other names which we were able to ascertain up till a late hour last evening, were William Hunter and William Williams (better known as Lavender Bill), seamen. The steward, a Mr Newlands, was unable to proceed by her on this trip, in consequence of having received an injury to his foot; the second steward, therefore, assumed the post of chief. We may mention here that on the last trip of the Star of Australia, supposed to have foundered, Mr Newlands, who was a steward on board of her, remained behind, thus twice escaping the fate which has over taken his shipmates.

STATEMENT OF HEDGES, THE SOLE SURVIVOR.

The following additional information has been obtained from Frederick Valliant Hedges, the only survivor of the ill-fated Cawarra. F. V. Hedges was born in Bristol, England, came to the colonies in 1857, in the Granite City, and is 31 years of age. He states the Cawarra cleared Sydney Heads about 6 o'clock on Wednesday evening, strong south-east breeze blowing; as they proceeded the wind freshened, blowing heavy squalls, sea increasing; heard the captain intended putting into Port Stephens or Newcastle. The weather was very thick at the time, and it was 11 o'clock before they made out land. At 2 they made out Nobby's; the captain at once made for the port, and rounded Nobby's shortly after 2 o'clock; in doing so the heavy sea running struck the steamer several times with tremendous force, and the rush of water on deck — some of which went below — was frightful; the vessel almost became unmanageable; she was driven over and passed the Eleanor Lancaster's mast. The captain ordered the foresail to be set, as the vessel had turned around with her head towards Nobby's. Hedges thinks it was the captain's intention to make the harbour, but the sea, came on board in such volumes that the captain ordered the sail to be taken in, and the steamer to ahead full speed, evidentially with the intention of going out at sea; three or four tremendous seas struck the steamer and she gradually went down by the head and the fires almost immediately went out. Captain Chatfield ordered the boats to be cleared away. Some Chinamen had previously taken possession one boat, but the captain ordered them out to make room for the females on board, two or three of whom got into the boat with five or six men, among whom was Hedges, a sea swept all out, but Hedges managed to lay hold of the davits, and succeeded in getting on board again, and by this time another boat, the cutter, was manned by seven or eight men and put off from the steamer, but she almost immediately capsized, and only one of the crew regained the ship. Hedges got into the main rigging with three or four others, but had not been there long when the funnel went over the side, carrying him and the others with it. He struck out for some minutes, and succeeded in laying hold of a plank, which drifted towards the harbour near the red buoy. As he was drifting along, he says, he saw two or three men in the water floating on pieces of wreck, and who, he thought, would be picked up by boats. He believes they all perished in the surf close to the Oyster Bank. Hedges says he heard no screaming. There was some slight confusion on board, but all appeared calm and collected, and perfectly resigned. He says he has often seen more confusion and fright in much less real danger. The China men willingly got out of the boat when ordered. When the boat of the steamer was going down the passengers and crew went aft for safety. When the mainmast went he (Hedges) was in the water. He saw her fore mast standing, and the next chance he had of seeing around him all was gone. Just before Hedges was swept off the wreck the second engineer, who was by him clinging to the main rigging, said, " I think it is a case with most of us, Fred," About this time a report was spread through the vessel that the lifeboat was coming. The captain said, '”Coolly, lads, the lifeboat is coming." Up to the time that Hedges was washed off the steamer the captain appeared perfectly self-possessed and cool; in fact, all stood at their posts to the last. Hedges did not see the lifeboat, and was not aware she was out at all, but he saw another come out to their assistance. He saw the schooner Veno coming in; he did not, however, see the boat that picked him up until close to him. He saw the red buoy two or three times before he was picked up. Mr Hannell's boat came alongside him in the water, and he was assisted in, and removed immediately to Mr Hannel's residence at the lighthouse.