MISHAP TO THE S.S. MAPOURIKA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2613, 8 November 1915, Page 6

MISHAP TO THE S.S. MAPOURIKA

STRIKES CLAY POINT IN THE

FRENCH PASS

VESSEL SAFE IN PORT HOW DID THE ACCIDENT HAPPEN? At 0.24 a.m. on Saturday, whilst the Mapourika was bound from Picton. to Nelson, she Btruck Clay Point, this sido of the French Pass, and remained fast for about eleven minute's. The wells were sounded sevoral times, lifebelts issued to passengers, and the boats made Teady in case of accid'ents. It was found, however, that the Mapourika was making very little water, and that but slight damage had been done to the foro peak tank. The vessel was easily got off, and proceeded on her way through the Pass to Nelson. She left there at 10 a.m. for Wellington direct and arrived hero at 10 o'clock on Saturday night, looking none the woree for her adventure.

Early yesterday morning the Mapourika was taken round l to tho Patent Slip for examination. It was found that the stem had been bent a little, two or three plates started, and a couple of plates dented for about 12ft. on tho port side. . All the damage has been done below the waterline. Temporary repairs will, it is considered, be effected to-day, and it is proposed to dispatch the Mapourika to Nelson direct at 9 p.m. to-day. A Mysterious Happening. How the accident happened is apparently a mystery. 'The ship's oincers state that tho night was exceptionally dark but clear, and prior to tho mishap various lights had been picked up without difficulty. . At times rain squalls camo up ana vivid flashes of lightning wore to be seen occasionally. The Mapourika was put on her usual course for tho ran, wuich usually clears Clay Point by from li miles/to 2 miles. As a matter of fact, on Saturday morning Captain Carey hauled l the steamer out an extra point, and thus should havo given Clay Point a still wider berth. She was bowling along in fine style, when all of a sudden a grating sound was heard, then a decided bump or two, and the Mapourika. came to a standstill. There was not the slightest panic amongst the passengers, although one or two ladies became a little excited. The ship's officers soon allayed all anxiety, however, and ten minutes later the passengers were enjoying hot coffee, etc., ill the saloon, under the direction of the chief steward and his staff.

When. 6poken to on arrival on Saturday night, Captain Carey Baid that he preferred not to make any statement just tlien. Ho admitted, however, that the land was but on account of the nature of the night the distance made it very deceiving. It will bo remembered! that early on Saturday morning an electrical disturbance passed over Wellington. Seeing that extra precautions had been taken to allow the Ma/pourika to clear Glay Point much further off than usual,'the opinion is held by several master mariners and seafaring men in Wellington that the electrical storm in some way or other interfered with the working of the Mapourika's compass. W'hen this theory was placed beforo an expert he eaid that it had been known for such a circumstance to occur, The Collector of Customs at Nelson held a preliminary inquiry on Saturday morning, and the papers have, been forwarded to the Marine-Department for further consideration. MAPOURIKA'S PREVIOUS MISHAPS. The Mapourika i 6 owned by the Union Company, and has been engaged in the "Wellington-West Coast and Wellington--I'ioton and Nelson, services for many years. She has been- relieving the Pateena in the latter run lately, and had it not been that the Pateena's firemen and trimmers will not sign on, she would have been laid up here on her arrival from Nelson and Picton on Thursday night. As it was she was sent away for another trip. The Mapourika has had! a chequered career since she oame out to New Zealand. For some time she was stranded! on the Greymouth beach, and 'hitd to be relaunched into the Grey River. Once she grounded on Mabel Island whilst going up the Sound to, Picton, and the vessel has also had minor mishaps, and at one time much trouble with firemen and trimmers.