STRANDING OF THE STEAMER PENGUIN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3241, 19 November 1881, Page 3

STRANDING OF THE STEAMER PENGUIN.

(by telegeaph.) Picton, November 19. Tbe Penguin arrived at midnight, having got off without sustaining any damage whatever. She sailed for Wellington and the South at 1 a.m. Nelson, November 19. The Wallace arrived in harbor at midnight, and reports that the Penguin got off the reef at the French Pass about 1.30 p.m. The Wallace arrived in the French Pass at about 4 o'clock, and endeavored to render assistance to the Penguin, but could not get near her till the afternoon. At about 5 o'clock she took the passengers from the steamer, and a hawser was got out, and the Wallace attempted to tow her off, but after moving her about forty feet the hawser snapped, and the Wallace could W-. do no more. * The Penguin was, however, in a better position, and shortly after cix she appeared to be floating, and shortly after that she went right off the reef. It was found that she was uninjured, ana tbe Wallace then returned the passengers to the Penguin, which vessel proceeded on to Picton. The passengers were much alarmed, and this feeling increased on finding that neither the Hawea, which came through the Pass on Friday morning, or the Wallace could get near enough to take them off. At low tide the ship's stern was high out of the water, and some thought ehe would not get off. All were, therefore, greatly rejoiced when she went over the reef all right. No particulars are given as to the cause of the accident, but a passenger stated that Captain Malcolm wae only called just as the ship got to tbe beacon, and she evidently went the wrong side of the channel. It is stated that the beacon recently erected has had the effect of diverting the current, and has added considerably to the difficulties of navigation. Wellington, November 19. Tbe Penguin arrived a 9.15 this morning, and is now going round to go on the patent slip. Captain Malcolm's account of the accident is as follows : — Left Nelaon at 5 p.m. on the 17th ior Wellington via Picton. On approaching the French Pass, the night being very dark rendered it very difficult to pick up the beacon, and when he did he found he was to the northward of it, and the only | chance was to take the middle channel, which he attempted to do, but missed it by about ten feet. He did not deem it advisable to reverse the engines, because by doing so the vessel would have gone broadside on to the reef. The vessel struck at 8.25 p.m., and remained fast till 6 p.m. last night, when she floated off without injury, and proceeded on her y* voyage.