S.S. KOTUKU PILED UP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1443, 18 May 1912, Page 6

S.S. KOTUKU PILED UP.

AT GREYMOUTH

BOTTOM PLATES RIPPED OUT. TOTAL LOSS FEARED. IBj roleeraph—Press Aaioclatlon.) Greymouth, May 17. Tho Union Company's steamer Kotuku went ashoro late last night on the North Tip Head. It was shortly after 11 p.m. when t.ho vessel left tho 'wharf, Captain John Christian commanding. Her cargo consisted of 'Kit tons of State coal and 317,724 feet of timber consigned to Timaru and Dunedin.

Tlio night was very disagreeable, but there was-very littlo sea oil tho bar. Whilo proceeding down the river, the vessel struck the retaining wall, which, it is presumed, carried away her propeller, rendering her unmanageable. She then, it is supposed, struck tho submerged Hawea, as part of tho Kotuku's bottom was ripped out. She drifted over the bar and went ashore outsido tho North Tip Head, her head pointing northwards. The captain and crew remained aboard all night, but as tho sea was making this morning, camo askore, as evidences of breaking up wcro visible. Her captain was brought ashore in a statu of coma, and sent to the hospital.

Tho deck timber is now floating a-shore and the sea is breaking over the vessel, which is becoming a total wreck. The Postal Department was further advised lato on l'riday afternoon that it was stated that tlio deck cargo fouled the vessel's steering-gear. She is now lying on an even keel, full of water, and in all probability will becorno a total wreck. The sea was calm at the timo of the accident, and the bar good. Greymouth's Formidable List. The following somewhat formidable list of shipping mishaps at Greymouth is supplied by Mr. J. Mallard, of this city:— 1805 or 181IG, the Eleanor (steamer) and Christina Thompson (schooner) and the cutter Swan were all lost. September 18, ISGG, Excelsior (schooner), total loss whilst being towed out. July 18, 1807, Harriet (brigantine), total

November 5, 18G7, Charles , Edward (steamer), was got off. , November 8, 1867, Flying Cloud [schooner), total loss. 4 November 9, 1807, Cymraes (schooner), total loss. , , . . . , June 9, 18G8, Louisa (schooner), total

°July 15, 1868, Pat the Rover (brig), total

August 22, 1868, J&no Elkiu (ketch), July lT'lSfi!), Bruce (steamer), total loss. September 8, 1865, Pearl (ketch), total l °August 24, 1870, Constant (ketch), total

November 5, 1870, Wallabi (steamer). Juno 22, 1871, Waipara (steamer). December 14, 1874, Kennedy (steamer . September 14, 1875, Kennedy steamer . September 24, 1875, Waipara (steamer).. February 5, 1876, Mary Banhatyne (brigantine). . . March 1, 1876, Lioness (steamer). December 7, 1876, Forest Queen (ketch). June 12, 1877, Wallace (steamer). Juue 17, 1877, Mary Ogilvie (schooner). August 23, 1877, St. Kilda schooner). September 25, 1877, Argus (ketch). September 11, 1879, Charles tdward (steamer). ' , • . July IG, 1880, Kennedy (steamer). September 8, 1880, Alma (schooner). (All stranded but got off.) September 1, 1882, Lioness (steamer), stranded, total loss. cue December 22, 1884, Queen of the South (steamer), total loss. October 14, 1880, Wallaco (steamer), to Ju\y°a, S ISB6, W&Uabi (steamer), stranded, but was got off. November 29, 1386, Mawhera (steamer), stranded, and was got off by launching. Juue 23, 1888, Gerda (steamer), total

10 August 7, 1805, Thurso (barque), total 1, 1898, Mapourika (steamer), stranded, but was got off. October G, 1899, Hesketh (steamer), stranded, total loss. July 10, 1900, Taupo (No. 2) (steamer), total loss. _ .... October 30, 1908, Hnwea (No. 2) (steamer), total loss. , . June 27, 1910, Lauderdale (steamer), total loss. Magisterial Inquiry. Arrangements are being made to hold a magisterial inquiry at Greymouth into the wreck. The nautical assessors have yet to be appointed. Previous Mishaps. Twice previously the Kotuku has been in trouble. On the hrst occasion she struck Walker's Rock, off Jackson, Head. This was in 1901, but on that occasion the vessel did not sustain serious damage. A graver mishap occurred in September, 1910. On that occasion the Kotuku was on a voyage from Ouehunga to Greymouth, and when she had done i 0 miles her shaft carried away. A heavy westerly gale was blowing at the time, and a considerable beam sea was running, which caused the vessel to drift towards the land at a speed of three knots an hour. At the time of the mishap the steamer was only 40 miles off shore, and the situation looked rather ominous. After six hours of strenuous work, however, the engine-Toom staff were successful in effecting temporary repairs, and the vessel s head was turned towards Stephens Island. She only made three knots an hour owing to the rough weather, and after signalling tho island made for Wellington. Tho Union Company's tug Terawhiti picked her up off the Brothors, on the day after tho mishap, and brought lier into port. The Steamer. The Kotuku was a steel screw steamer of 1051 tons gross, and 6G2 tons net register. She was built for tho Union Company in 1900 by Cnxmiclmel,'Maclean and Co.,' of Greenock, and was brought out by Captain Tate. Her dimensions were:— Len'tli, 225 ft.; breadth, 34.3 ft.; depth, 14ft. Dunedin, May 17. The secretary of tho Shipwreck Belief Soaiety Teceiveil a telegram to-day stating that severul members of the crew of the Kotuku required assistance in regard to drv clothes, etc. A reply was sent authorising the Mayor of Greymouth to draw on the society to the extent of «U3 per man. .