STEAMER STRANDED

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 65, 11 December 1918, Page 4

STEAMER STRANDED

DORSET AGROUND ON HOPE SHOAL< The Federal-Shire Line steamer Dorset, 7559 tons, is hard and fast on Hope Shoal, off Ward Island, to the eastward of the fairway up the harbour entrance. The ship struck the sandbank shortly after 8 o'clock yesterday morning asi'she. inward bound from Auckland. A strong southerly gale was blowing at the time, of the mishap, accompanied by heavy hail and rain squalls. The tugs Terawhiti and Pelicna, and the Government steamer Janie Seddon were quickly on the scene, and stood by the Dorset, and at high tide (3.20 a.m.) all their power was concentrated in au attempt to clear tho ship of the bank. Their efforts were •nneuccssfu), however, tho Dorset being too firmly held. At high tide last night another effort to refloat the stranded steamer was to have been made, but it was decided not to make it, owing to the lower tide and the futile 1 endeavour of the morning., Little other work in connection with the release of the Dorset was done yesterday owing to tho rough weather. This morn-, ing, however, renewed efforts will be made. A coal-hlk Trill be taken out, and the work of unloading a quantity of the Dorset's cargo will be commenced. The small- steamer Kapiti will also be used. In the opinion of experts there will be every chance of pulling the Dorset from the sandb'ank when 600 or 700 tons of the oargo have been taken out. The Dorset commenced her voyage at London, culled at Sydney ani Auckland (at which latter port she discharged passengers and cargo, and was on her way. to Wellington to complete loading for Port Said. Her cai's-p consists of meat and wool, part of which was loaded in Australia and the rest at Auckland. She is commanded by Captain O. Hughes, who has previously visited -tho port. The Dorset was built by' Messrs. J. Brown and Co., Ltd., Glasgow, in 1903, and she has a length of 4GO feet, ji breadth of 58.2 feet, and i>. depth of 31 feet.