DRIFT OF THE KINI

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2281, 15 October 1914, Page 7

DRIFT OF THE KINI

AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE. Tho Union Company's collier Kini, which broke down on Tuesday of last week, | off the East' Coast, whilst on the way from Napier to Greymouth, and which arrived in tho harbour shortly after 9 o'clock yesterday morning, -in tow of the Kittawa,"was taken alongside the Taranaki Street Wharf shortly before noon. All .on board were well, and although Captain Stewart and those on board had had a trying experience, it was' satisfactory to be able to report that no casualties of any kind had occurred. ■

The Kini, as already stated, broke, her tail shaft on October 6, when five miles off the land, near' Blackhead. A atrong westerly wind and considerable 6ea. prevailed at the timo ; , . and the Kini,. being a very light ship, was tossed about considerably. On Tuesday night rockets were sent up at frequent intervals, but thero was no response. By Wednesday morniug the vessol was about 40 miles away from land. A sea-anchor was then constructed, and put out. This chocked tho drift considerably, but ultimately the strain upon the sea-anchor had the effect of snapping a huge derrick-spar about a foot/in diameter, which formed part of the framework of the anchor.

At one o'clock on Thursday the vessel being then about 63"miles off the land, tho sea had moderated sufficiently to allow a boat's crew to leave in charge of the second officer (Mr. Dalgleish) with six men, to put off to seek the shore, and secure assistance. All hands volunteered to man tho boat. The story of the boat's experience has already been related.

About midnight on Sunday the Kini was picked up, as already stated, by tho Kittawa, in charge of Captain Baldwin. After considerable difficulty, a lino was passed from the Kittawa to tho Kini, and tho journey back to Wellington was begun at 6 o'clock on Monday morning. The progress mado was necessarily slow, and it was with feelings of :ireat relief to those on board both vessels, that tho harbour was reached early yesterday morning. Captain. Baldwin, of the Kittawa, received many congratulations on his success in picking up the disabled steamer only 18 hourß after leaving Wellington. Tho Kini will bs placed on the Patent Slip for repairs.