THE OPOURI STRANDED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3182, 5 September 1917, Page 6

THE OPOURI STRANDED

AT GREYMOUTH BREAKWATER LITTLE PROSPECT OF REFLOATING f • By Telegraph—Press A'sEociation. Greymouth, September 4. The 5.6. Opouri ran ashore at 11.30 kst night, in attempting to make port. The been rough all day, and shipping was practically at a standstill. In crossing the bar the Opouri's steering goar failed, and the vessel,was carried on to the north breakwater, into a small bight between' tile inner and outer walls.

On striking the staging of the old wall three'of the crew clambored ashore, and held on to the staging. The staging gave way, and they were precipitated into the water, but got uajely ashore again. The rest of tho crew got ashore without serious difficulties. The Opouri soon became hard and fast, • and the chances of getting her off are not considered to be bright. ■ There is water in the whole of the ongine-room, and all the bunker coal has been washed out. } The vessel carried 15 tons of general cargo. , ' , , Christchurch, September 4. The Opouri is owned by the Opouri Steam Ship Company, Ltd., and is directed by Messrs. Reese Bros., Christchuroh. She was purchased six years ago Dy the company, brought out from England, and has been engaged in the Lyttelton-West Coast trade practically ever since. She is usually loaded with timber from Greymouth to ' Lyttelton, returning to the coast with general merchandise. 'Captain E. A. Cox is in charge of the Opouri, the chief officer is T. Naysmith, the second officer J. M'Kenzic, and she carries a crew of thirteen. The hull is insured with the Batavia Insurance Company, Sydney. Two directors of the company and Captain Colona, Lloyds representative, left by'motor-car at noon to-day for Greymouth.

The Opouri carried 240 tons, of general carffo for Greymouth and Hokitika. The Opouri is a very well-known vessel on the New Zealand coast, and is a fairly frequent, visitor to Wellington. She was built six years ago at Paisley by ,T..Fullerton and Company. Of sio tons gross'register, the Opouri's main dimensions, are:—Length, 170. feet; bieadth, 27 feet; depth, 9.7 feet. A neenliaritv of the vessel's build is that her machinery and funnel are aft. She is eqnipped with all the latest 1 appliances, Rnd is generally regarded as one of the smartest vessels of her class in ttese T-xtwo. Tho soot where she struck I'flS been the scene during recent year's of several mishaps, and is. the place whore the Mn.pourika grounded a considerable time' ago. ■