ACCIDENT TO THE ROTOMAHANA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1013, 4 August 1883, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO THE ROTOMAHANA

[by telegraph.] Bluff, To day. The Botomahana has just arrived. At twenty minutes to four this morning she struck the Waipapa point about the same place that the Tararua did. She bumped several times, and remained on the rocks half an hour. The tide was at threequarters flood, but the sea was smooth, fortunately, and as the tide made she floated off and came on. She is making no water, but an examination of her propeller shows that two blades were carried away and two pieces broken off of the other blade. The bottom cannot be examined here, and consequently she will return to Port Chalmers. At present she is discharging cargo, and will take nothing in. The very fine weather has doubtless prevented a repetition of the Tararua disaster. < Later.

A survey held of the Rotomahana shows no perceptible damage, except that the propeller is broken. The accident happened at a quarter to four, and the vessel was then supposed to be entering the middle of Foveaux Straits, about four miles clear of the land. She was steering a course to clear the Waipapa when the vessel struck. The second mate was in charge on the bridge, and Captain Carey was below. The night was clear, but a haze was over the land. There was a light southerly wind, but a heavy roll from the southward. She struck about a mile and a half off the land, and rema ned there an hour, bumping lightly, The engines were put full speed astern without moving her, and were then tried full speed ahead with the same result. Then a heavy swell rolled in and made her bump once very heavily, then the second swell lifted her off the rocks, and she steamed clear. The boats were all got ready, and lifebelts served out to the crew and passengers, although the steerage passengers complained that no lifebelts were in the steerage, and several had to go down to the saloon and take belts out of the saloon berths. Complete order prevailed on board, and Captain Carey was quite master of the situation. He ordered everythin' to be done without confusion. The sea was quite smooth, with a heavy swell but no break on the Otara Reef was visible outside the position of the vessel as well as between her and the shore. She sails for Port Chalmers at 3 p.m. The southerly swell throughout the night and the strong spring flood tide, it is surmised, set her further in shore than was expected.