ILL-FATED KAIRAKI FOUND

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2268, 30 September 1914, Page 8

ILL-FATED KAIRAKI FOUND

FOUNDERED IN 72 FEET OF WATER.

(Br. Jfelesreph.—Press Association.) Croymouth, September 29. The Kairaki wreck has been located by a tug, three miles off Point Elizabeth and five miles north of the Signal Station, in 72ft. of water. The vessel ihad evidently foundered. :

STORY OF THE SEARCH. Creymouth, , Soptomber 29. .This 'morning at about eight o'clock tho Harbour Board'e.tug Westhnd left Greymo'uth for tho purpose of making a search along the north beach, and "in'the vicinity.of Point .Elizabeth for any signs of the missing vessel Kairalsi. After cruising about for some time, the wreck was ideated off Point Elizabeth. Ac about. 11.30, three of-tho sliip's derricks were visible above the water, two and a quarter '-miles from Point Elizabeth, and'threo and three-quarter, miles distant-from the Greymouth signal station. '

■' The vessel is lying in twelve fathoms «>f water, and being right, in the track of shipping presents some to vessels' making the trip to and from Greymouth, so that ho , doubt tho authorities will take, steps as early as .possible to remove the danger. From her position, it is apparent that the vessel, must have foundered, and this could' only have boen' broughtr about by- the ship becoming unmanageable through an accident to her machinery., Thiit .disposes of 'many.of the theories as to. tho probable fate'of the ship, and leaves.no doubt, that. she. "became, a> victim to the fury of the elements.-last Friday night or Saturday morning, when she was probably in a helpless condition.'•■. ,''-.'

. The search party yesterday saw. no signs.of any further wreckage. Immediately on liis return to.port yesterday, Captain M'l J liersou communicated with the Custeme authorities and supplied, them with particulars of the search. Mr. P. "Davies, of the Customs Office, then wired the .Marino Department); Wellington, as, follows: — '■■ "Wreck of "Kairaki located, bearing W.S.W. magnetic two and a quarter' miles from JPoint Elizabeth, N.W. by N., magnetic distant three and a threequarter miles from Greymouth signal station; in twelvo fathome, derrick ends visible; dangerous to shipping." Wreokage continues to come ashore on the ten and seventeen-mile beaches, but.so far there are no traces of the bodies of tho victims qf the wreck, and it..is probable that they will never bo recovered. The .several stretches of beach are being regularly patrolled by police and others. , ■ The" Kairaki was insured for £10,000 iii Lloyd's. She was carrying about 150 toils of cargo, the majority of which was probably insured by the consignors. Her "Wellington- cargo amounted tc ;50 cases, kerosene, 20 cases matches, and 10 case's sundries., . .

>'.Tho Mayor of Kaiapoi (Mr. J. W. ■Barnard) sent the' following jlettor to the chairman of directors 'of .the "Kaia;po: Shipping and Trading Company:— "On belialf of the Borough'.Council, the burgesses, .ar.d myself,; permit me'to , offer our sincerest; regrets at'the dis"sler which caused: tlio loss of the officers and crew, as well as tho.s.s.: Kairaki, on theAVest Coast, in last, night's storm., Everyone'.knew. Captain Scott as a , capable.and popular officer, and' his staff and crew "were respected by all -who knew To. tht«u - mourning relat'ves. and friends , for my' fello\r : townspeople''l am addressing. ; tins ' expression of J our fullest sympathy in' their, bereavement.. .Wo .recogniso that your company has striven with, great enterprise to " create for .North Canterbury a steady coastal trado throughout the and wo realise that the. Ayrcck of so well-equipped a : steamer specially 'adapted for the port'must bo a- serious loss to your company. With 'great regret I feel called, upon to offer theso espressions, but recognise you are entitled to recetvo from-Kaiapoi the earliest 'and fullest assurance' that we look on the disaster, as one which seriously, affects tho northern district. I have the honour, etc.— J. W. 'Barnard,' Mayor." At a meeting of the, Wellington -Wharf ..Labourers' Union yesterday, it iwas decided to recommend the executive; to donate the sum of. £25 to the dependents of those \yho lost their lives in the wreck of the Kairaki. '