STEAMER WRECKED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 854, 28 June 1910, Page 5

STEAMER WRECKED.

♦ NEAR GREYMOUTH. LAUDERDALE BEACHED AFTEB STRIKING. THE CREW SAFE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Greyinouth, Juno 27. The Maoriland Steamship Company's Lauderdale struck on tho North Tip at high tide this morning, and is now ashore on tho South Beach. ■ The stranded vessel was the centre of interest to-day, and hundreds flocked to the beach. Tho falling tide showed the vessel to bo. within 300 yards of tho shore at low water. The rocket apparatus fired, a lino across tho vessel. During tho night she had drifted about half a milo to the southward. At four o'clock this afternoon, communication, was established with the shore, anil tho crow, 23 in all, camo across in a basket. In transit each man had to endure a plunge in tho surf, which was breaking very roughly on tho > shore. , The Captain's Statement. Captain Clark, interviewed by a representative of the "Grey River Argus" this evening, stated that at 12.20 a.m. 'he received signals to enter, and ho kept a straight course with the beacons in view. Ho had entered between, the breakwaters when the vessel refused ,to answer her helm, and struck some object near where the Hawera came to grief. Hβ at once ordered "Fall speed astern," and the steamer backed out past the breakwater and cleared it. Ho then signalled for atug, and cruised about until 2.30, whenit was found that the vessel was sinking. > At that time the signals regarding the bar indicated "Dangerous," and ho had to beach the steamer to prevent her going down in deep water. If tho tug had., been sent out there was no doubt that the vessel would have been saved. There was a heavy ground swell at the time. The crew were all well provided with dry clothing, and every attention shown, to them. The steamer is now broadside on to tho beach, and tho experts' opinion ia that sho will never bo got off. ADDITIONAL DETAILS. THE STEAMER'S HISTORY. Tho Lauderdale is a steel screw-steamet built in 1839 by Palmers Company, Ltd., Newcastle, and originally named the C'airntoul. Her tonnage is 1668, tons gross, 1266 tons under deck, and 1071 tons net. Her principal dimensions are: ■ Length, 261 ft.-; breadth, 37ft.; depth, 16ft Tho engines, which are of tho triple expansion order, were manufactured by the Palmers Company. When the Union Steam Ship Company purchased the vessel, her name was changed to Taieri, and as such sh6 was well known in the coastal trade. About two years ago, the Maoriland Steamship Company purchased her from the Union Company, and her name was' then changed to Lauderdalo. Since January, 1909, the Lauderdale has made numerous trips in the intercolonialcargo trade. ' ■ Recently sho arrived in the South Island with a cargo of hardwood from Tas- . mania, and after discharging at southern ports, and at New' Plymouth, she left for Hokianga to commence loading timber for . < Australia. For some'days, she was bar- 1 bound at Hokianga, and then on Juno 13 she sailed for Nydia Bay to continue her loading. On Saturday last she cleared Nydia Bay for Greymouth. to complete loading'and coaling, and was just entering Greymouth yesterday morning when . sho met with the mishap described.' above. ■ ' Officers and Insurance. Cnptain Clark, late of the Holmdalo, and formerly of the Shaw/ Savill, and Albion Company's service, took command of the Lauderdale at. Nydia Bay last week, relieving Captain Holm, who went on holiday leave. Officers associated with Captain Clark are: Chief i 'Mr., Stewart, ■ late of the Nikau; second, Mr. Woodnutt; third, Mr. Boyd, late of tho Kiripaka. Tho Lauderdale is partly insured with the London underwriters, but if she becomes a total loss, the. owners will be heavy losers. Previous Greymouth Wrecks and Mishaps. Several wrecks have . previously occurred at Greymouth. The tug Lionefs was totally wrecked when entering the harbour years ago, and tho Hesketh and tho Tanpo were both wrecked there. Tho Union Company's passenger steamer Mnpourika- went ashore on September 30, 1893,: but was subsequently relaunched . on March 10, 1899, under the direction of Mr. J. Daniel. Another of the Union Company's fleet—the- Hawea—was totally wrecked, when leaving Greymonth for Australian porta in October, 1908. Telegrams Received Here. Captain M'Arthur, of the' Maoriland Steamship Company, received a telegram N late yesterday afternoon to say thatthe weather reports showed that the direction of tho wind on the West Coast was . from the north-east, and experienced mariners state that when the wind in northerly at Greymouth there is always a corresponding strong set in the tides, which would tend to carry the Lauderdale to the southward. The Commissioner of Police (Mr. _F. Waldegrave) received yesterday morning the following telegram. from the inspector of police at Greyinouth :—"Steamer Lauderdale struck north breakwater, on entering at 1 a.m. Jshe was 'beached, about a milo south of the river, lydnsr 200 yards off shore. The crew are still on board. Efforts to get a line' on boardwere unsuccessful. ' Heavy rain storm now raging off land; heavy sea. Police in attendance."