S.S. KAURI ASHORE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2184, 24 June 1914, Page 7

S.S. KAURI ASHORE

NEAR WESTPORT ENTRANCE

FULL DAMAGE UNKNOWN

WATER IN HOLD & ENGINE-ROOM. (By Taleirajli.—Piosa Association.) Westport, Juno 23. The Union Steam Ship Company's steamer Kauri, from Auckland, ia ashore on tho beach north of the eastern breakwater. When entering at 6.40 this evening in squally weather, slio was apparently driven by a westerly set on to the eastern wall and damaged, but to what extent is not yet known. Slie then slewed round the breakwater, and later drifted ashore or was beached some 200 yards nortfi of the breakwater ou a sandy beach. From there s'lio drifted along half a mile further north, and is now apparently hard and fast. ■ No one has yet como ashore, but as there is comparatively little sea and' the vessel should be almost high and dry at low water, no fears 1 aro entertained for the safety of those on boafd. The vessel is under the command of Captain Buxton. A tug went out, but the Kauri is too far in shore for her to render assistance. If the vessel holds where she is it is not thought that it will be a very difficult task to refloat' her, but ■ nothing authoritative can bo said until it is ascertained t<> what extent , she is damaged. Later. There is very little reliable data concerning the Kauri. It is ■ understood that No. 1 hold -is full of water, and that tho engine-room ia flooded. The vessel has 30 tons of cargo for Westport, mainly sugar and general produce. The captain and crew are standing by the ship until low water about 2 o'clock, when they expect to be able to walk ashore. .

Tho Union Company purchased the steamer Kauri to replace the Kotnku, which was wrecked at Greymouth on May 17, 1912. Tho vessel was originally named the Harmony, and left Bristol for Dunedin on June 18, 1012. En route tho Kauri called at Newcastle for a' load of hardwood and coal, and arrived at the headquarters of the Union Company on September 19, 1912. She is a large cargo-carrier of 2833, tons register, and had a deadweight carrying capacity of 5050 tolls; The Kauri is nearly the same size as the 1 "Wliar.gape, and was considered a notable addition to the Union Company's fleet. In appearance the vessel is bluff-bowed, with an almost perpendicular funnel amidships, and well decks fore and aft, the only unique feature about her being tho waterways on either side of the bridge deck, and these are situated outside tho iron bulwarks.

The Kauri Was built in Hartlepool by Messrs. Furness. Withy, and Col for J. and W. Harrison, in 1905. and her dimensions are:' Length,' 325 ft.; breadth, 47ft.; depth, 22.3 f- , Sho is classed 100A1 at Lloyd's,