STEAMER IN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 175, 19 April 1919, Page 7

STEAMER IN TROUBLE

MISHAP TO THE BESSA STRIKES A ROCK IN CHAFFERS PASSAGE . CALL FOR ASSISTANCE ■While endeavouring to (inter port last evening, by way of Chatters Passage tho Norwegian steamer Bessa struck a rock oil' Dorset Point. The vessel commenced to make a little water, but the inflow was controlled. After the- vessel arrived at an anchorage in tho. stream,: however, it, was discovered that.tho-ship's pumps could not keep down tho • water.-. Appeals for were- immediately , sent bv wireless, and this was followed I by prolonged'-intermittent blasts of tha shin's siren. This gave cause for general alarm throughout tho city, aud a ■ large crowd'immediately thronged to tho waterfront. Next-of-kin 'of foldiers on the troopship Ivaikoura,- which is lying 1 iii the stream, were very concerned, for it was thought that there was trouble on that vessel. ■ Many flocked to the wharf hatless, but their fears were quickly allayed.

Tho liessa arrived off tho entrance soino little .time before 7 o'clock from Auckland, and commenced to make Port Nicholson by way of Chaffers Passage. The master 'of the vessel, Cap« tain D. Arnesen, was apparently, under the impression that he was 6afe inside tho main entrance when in reality lie was making up tho rather intricate! Chaffers Passage. It appears that a bright light was seen ahead, and this was taken lo be Somes Mand light, and, tho course was continued. A pilot was asked for by signal to Beacon. Hill Station; and tho course was continued up the passage, and when tha starboard bow was approximately abreast; of tho northern front of Barrett's R-cefi'' the vessel touched a rock off Dorset: Point. Tho particular rock ehe is supposed to have struck is the, extreme submerged point of Dorset Point. In the near vicinity of this area the chart gives th<* depth as 45 fathoms. As soon as thaf vessel struck, the water-tight compart* ments were closed and tho wells sounded* An investigation showed that ehe had a hole in her port bow, and. was making; a little -water. The voyage was continued, aild at 7.35 p.m. the pilot boarded thd vessel aud brought' her' to the stream,-! The steamer's pumps coped with the' ingress, of water, which found its wayjinto No.-1 hold. Everything was appaM,. ently all right till about 10 p.m., wheaj it was discovered that the water was! making a littlo faster, and efforts to keep! it down were without avail. Tho dangeij. of tho vessel sinking was feared, and tho- • port harbourmaster (Captain Dawson) was summoned. Tho vessel elowly began! to go down at. her .head, ajid.it was.. de< elded to berth her riglTt away. The tugs( Karaka and Pelican were Bent out inl responso to the signal for assistance, but' their services • were Dot needed, as the vessel' was able to proceed slow|s under her own steam to the Queen'd Wharf, whero she was made fast at O.IS o'clock this morning. As she drevf ■ alongside' it could be seen .that tho was almost on the bottom, but she waq soon securely berthed. When tho Bessaj was making Wellington entrance she was drawing 24ft. 6in.', but at an early liout this morning sho was drawing 2Sft. 3in.' Particulars of the Ship. Under the auspices of the United States and Australasia Lines. Incorporated, the Bessa was fully loaded at Sew! York with assorted cargo for discharge ajf New Zealand and Australian ports. She sailed on her outward j.-.urney on March 5, arriving, at Auckland, tho first port of discharge, on Saturday last, April 12. After putting out consignments at that port, the Bessa left at 11 a.m. on Wednesday for Wellington. Rough weathers on tlie codst delayod her progress, and sho was a few hours. Inter than was ex* pected- when Pencarrow Lighthouse was in sight yesterday evening. ■ The. cargo for delivery at . this port amounts to about 1100 tons. Last night it was not known ill what hold this waa ectowed. Messrs. Dalgety and Co. are Wei* lington agents for the vessel. As to the ship herself, she is owikhJ by the Norwegian, African, and Australian Steamship Co., of Tonsberg, .Norway, and is the latest addition to their fleet of ten steamers, -all of. much about -tho I same sizo. Tho Bessa is a steel screw 6teauier, of 5943 tons gross, and 36fKi net, and is of recent construction. Her. launching took place in August, .1917, -at tho yards of the Union Iron Works ,Co., ■Alameda, California. Like all metal, vessels built in America .during the last few years tho Bessa is fitted with all th® latest mechanical and engineering appliance-! that make for her' safety amT< speed, aiyl for the convenience and com.i fort of both officers and crew. Among'] the most modern of her engineering fea* ( . hires is her oil-burning machinery. Tha( principal dimensions,of tho vessel are:—'; ■Length, 410.9 ft.; breadth, -56.2 ft.; amidepth, 29.4 ft. She has iho appoaranco o£ being a very 6mart ship, ind'has many, attractions which are* of general interest* There'is'on : board ax'i'ew of 38 all told, ' Chaffers Passage. Chaffers Passage lies between Palmer Head and Barrett's Reef, and is only used- nowadays by the small coastal; boats. In tho centre of tho passage tha.; depth of water' varies- from-12 : -fathoms lo six, liuc. this depth' diminishes at certain points near" the-mainland. Soma years ago certain - unitg. .of the Union. Company's fl'eet.'-.used- ; t'oiiiise the passage, but it was decided.-toVdiscontinue tha practice. The 'passage is now used ex-< clusivcly by the mosquito fleet, and all other packets use the ■ main entrance, whero there is ample water and plenty of room for a clear passage. While . there are no . lights, marking Chaffers Passage tho main entrance is" particularly well supplied with lights. \ Bar* rett's Reef is covered by tho red sector of Somes Island light, and the eastern shore is covered by the" green..sector ofl . this light. '.