S.S. GERTIE SINKS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1563, 5 October 1912, Page 4

S.S. GERTIE SINKS.

IN THE MANAWATU RIVER, Word reached Wellington yesterday that Messrs. Levin and Company's sloamor had sunk in (ho Mnnawatu River, nt a place called Fishermen's Bend, about six miles from tho town of Foxton. At tho time bf the mishap the Gcrtio was inward hound from Westport coalladen, and grounded inside the bar on Tuesday evening.' There had been floods in tho Manawatu liivcr, and westerly gales have prevailed, with tho result that the- silt brought down by the river had been backed up, thus causing shallows insido tho bar. It was on one of these that tho Gertie grounded. As it is a fairly common occurrence for steamers to stick in the river, nothing was thought of tho incident. After the steamer touched some of tho coal in the after hatch was transferred forward, and about 2 a.m. on Thursday tho Gertie wns floated off and commenced to go up tho river to the township. It seems that the extra coal forward put the vessel down by the head, and it is stated that it was not.noticed that she was going deeper. In a little while, however, it was found that she was making water in the forward hold, and was settling down by tho head. Before proceeding much further, tho Gertie took the ground and remained fast. On examination it was found that n considerable quantity of water had found its way into the fore hold. The after part of the vessel is afloat, undamaged. It was thought that the damage was caused through a few Tivcts being sprung or perhaps a seam between the plates hod been forced open when tho vessel was aground at the river-mouth. Yesterday afternoon a centrifugal pump was fitted up, and pumping operations commenced. It was anticipated that the Gertie would be floated last evening, and would then be navigated to tho wharf at Foxton. «