THE STRANDING OF THE PENGUIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 496, 19 November 1881, Page 2

THE STRANDING OF THE PENGUIN.

[by telegraph.]

Picton, To-day.

The 8.8. Penguin arrived at midnight, having got off without sustaining any damage whatever. She sailed for Wellington and the South at 2 a.m. Nelson, To-day. The s.B. Wallace arrived at the harbor at midnight, and reports that the Penguin was got off at French Pass at half-past 6. The Wallace arrived at French Pass about 4 o’clock, and endeavored to render assistance to the stranded vessel, but could not get near her till the afternoon. At about 5 o’clock she took the passengers from the steamer, and hawsers were got out, and the Wallace attempted to tow her off, but after moving her about forty feet, the hawser snapped, and the Wallace could do no more. The Penguin was, however, in a better position, and shortly after six she appeared to be floating, and soon after that she went right off the reef. It was found that she was uninjured, and the Wallace then returned her passengers to the Penguin, which vessel proceeded on to Picton. The passengers were much alarmed, and this feeling increased on .finding that neither the Hawea which came through the Pass on Friday morning, nor the Wallace could get near enough to take them off at low tides. The ship’s stern was high out of the water, and some thought she would not get off All were therefore greatly rejoiced when she went over the reef all right. No particulars are given as to the cause of the accident, but a passenger stated that Captain Malcolm was only just called as the ship got to the beacon. She evidently went the wrong side of the channel It is stated that the beacon recently erected has had the effect of diverting the current, and has added considerably to the difficulty of navigation. Later.

The Penguin arrived at 9.15 this morn-,-ing, and is now going round to go on the patent slip. Captain Malcolm’s accountof the accident is as follows:—We left Nelson at 6 p.m. on the 7th, for Wellington via Picton. On approaching the French Pass, the night being very dark, rendered it extremely difficult to pick up the beacon, and when we did pick it up, we found we were to the northward of it, and the only chance was to take the middle channel, which we attempted to. do but missed it by about ten feet. We did not deem it advisable to reverse the engines, because by doing so the vessel would have gone broadside on to the reef. The vessel struck at 8.25 p.m., and remained fast till 6 p. m. last night, when she floated off, and proceeded on her voyage. . On examination, it was found that the vessel had not sustained the slightest in-; jury. A magiaierial enquiry takes plaice on Monday.