ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. RUAPEHU

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1511, 11 April 1885, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. RUAPEHU

Welll'Gton, Last Night. While the Ruapehu was being brought up to the wharf, Pilot Sims, who was in charge, hugged the shore too close, with the result that the steamer grounded c ose to the Te Aro Baths. It being high tide at the time, the engines were reversed, and sail set, but the steamer did not move. The Union Company’s Tarawera was sent to render assistance, but was unable to move her. The Ruapehu remained fast all the afternoon, and towards evening the freezing hulk was taken alongside, and a portion of her cargo, consisting of 1,000 carcases, is to be taken out of the fore hold. It is fully expected that the steamer will be floated ofi successfully when the tide makes between midnight and one o’clock. She is not likely to have sustained any damige, as there is a sandy bottom, but divers have b en sent down to examine the hulk- The Hinemoa has been ordered to render what assistance she cm. A preliminary enquiry into the grounding of the steamer was held this afte'noon. The pilot, in his evidence, admitted that all his orders were promptly carried out, and that ho hugged the shore a little too close, and that he was alone to blame in the matter. 3 a m. An attempt wan m de at one o’clock by the Wakatipu and Hinemoa to tow the Ruapehu off, but it was unsuccessful. (by telegraph ) Wellington, To-day, 10.18 a.m. All attempts to fl >at the Ruapehu on last night’s tide failed. Her cargo u ati being taken out, and on midday’s tid another attempt will be made, in whic the steamers Hinemoa and Grafton will assist. 1.19 p.m. The steamers Grafton and Hinemoa have just succeeded in towing the Ruapehu off into deep water.