IN TROUBLE AGAIN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1949, 5 January 1914, Page 6

IN TROUBLE AGAIN.

S.S. HIMITANGI AT CHATHAMS.

ROCK STRIPS PROPELLER.

MESSAGES BY WIRELESS,

'A. wireless message was received in Wellington from the Chatham Islands station Into last evening, stating that the- Chatham Islands Fishing Company's steamer Himitangi had struck a submerged rock oft' Taupeka, Chatham, Island, yesterday morning. The'-message, which 'was received by ' the Secretary of tho General Post Office, was as follows:— "This morning s.s. Himitangi struck a submerged rock off Taupeka during fog. Got off again, but , stripped propeller. Now anchored and safe for tho present, but helpless." Where She Struck. 'According to tho- "New Zealand Pilot," Taupeka is six miles eastward of Capo Young, which is a conspicuous headland forming tho northern point of Chatham Island. It is stated that there is a good boat-harbour at Taupeka, sheltered by a reef extending northcast and south-west. A rock is reported to lie nearly a mile off-shore about ten miles :castwafdof Cape Young. On , account of tho mcagro information to hand it is difficult to say whether'tho Himitangi struck tho outer edge of tho reef or tho reported rock. As it is stated in tho message that tho vessel struck a rock, it is surmised that she must havo hit tho reported obstacle, which, lies a mile off-shore. Prevous Mishap Recalled. Nearly two years ago—to bo correct, on Sunday morning, .February 11, 1912 --the Himitangi. was in trouble at tho Chathams. • On that particular occasion she went asboro in Petro Hay, Chatham Islands, through dragging her anchors, and was subsequently refloated. It will be remembered that ■ considerable anxiety was caused during that time on account of tho vessel being 60 long overdue on the round trip from Lyttelton-and back. Thrco steamers went in search of her. They > were H.M.S. Pioneer, tho Government train-ing-ship Amokura, and the coastal steamer Gertie. On March G tho Gertie, which was returning to "Wellington from the Chathams, spoke Cape Palliscr Lighthouse, and reported tho missing Himitangi. Advantage of Wireless. On tho last occasion the Himitangi loft Lyttelton for tho Chathams on January 31, and it took thirty-four days before any news of her mishap reached New Zealand. To-day the report of her accident carho 'through a few hours after it occurred. This will demonstrate tho value of wireless installation to tho community. Had- it not been for tho wireless station, which has been recently erected by tho New Zealand Government at tho Chathams, there is no doubt that shipping people and others would have had a similarly anxious time to that which happened two years ago.

■ It is probable that a steamer will bo 'dispatched to the Chathams within the course of a day or so, to tow the Himitangi either to Lyttelton or Wellington.