WESTMORELAND MEETS WITH MISFORTUNE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 204, 23 May 1919, Page 7

WESTMORELAND MEETS WITH MISFORTUNE

STRIKES HEAVILY AT BLUFF.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, May 22,

At a late hour last night Messrs. Turnbull,'Martin, and Co. received advice that the steamer "Westmoreland, wbioh left the Bluff at 6.15 p.m. yesterday-with tho intention of- proceeding to Wellington, had struck ground protty 'heavily while leaving the southern port. She was believed to be making water, but continued her voyage, the intention of he* captain being to bring tho vessel to Port Chalmers, where docking facilities are available. '

Later. Tho Westmoreland reached Port Chalmers at 9.30 this morning. On leaving the Bluff last night, she bumped heavily in tho vicinity of tho Channel Rock, which is said to bo the same place where the Knight of the Garter sustained damage a few years ago. The Westmoreland evidently sustained serious damage, as her ballast tanks in numbers one, two, and three holds were filled with water. Number six tank near the 6terh was previously filled with fresh water, whioh novf is suit, indicating a leakage there also. The Westmoreland, which is practically a now ship, is on hor second voyage to tho Dominion. On her last voyage in October, 1917, her cargo was on fire when she arrived at Auckland from Liverpool via Panama, and was considerably damaged. On the trip homo she was torpedoed near the English coast, and beaolied at Whitehaven, where she lay for threo months, tho subsequent repairs taking about-nino months. Tho Westmoreland Iβ now about three-quarters loaded with frozen, and other produce, neatly a.ll of which will ha discharged at Port Chalmers before tho steamer docks for repairs, which aro likely to be fairly extensive. CARGO BELIEVED TO BE UNDAMAGED. , . Dunedin, May 22. Tho discharge of tho Westmoreland's cargo was commenced this afternoon. Present indications are that the cargo ie not damaged, but this will not bo definitely known till it is clear of tho bottom of the holds. It is, probable , that the vessel's frozen meat will bo transhipped to tho Roniuera, duo on Friday, but tho Harbour Board's freezing works' may resumo operations for the purpose of storage. Tho extont of the damage to the vessel will not bo fully ascertained until the cargo is. discharged.