NARROW ESCAPE OF ROTOMAHANA FROM SHARING FATE OF TARARUA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3761, 4 August 1883, Page 3

NARROW ESCAPE OF ROTOMAHANA FROM SHARING FATE OF TARARUA.

Bixtf, This day

The Rotomahana has just arrived. At 3.-JO this morning whe struck tlio Waipapa Point, about the same place as the Tararua, bumped several times, and remained on the rocks about half-an-hour. The tide wns three-quarters flood. The sea was smooth fortunately, and as the tide made she floated off, and came on. She is making no water, but an examination of the propeller shows that two blades have been carried away, and two pieces broken off the other blade. The bottom cannot bo examined here, consequently she Avill return to Port Chalmers. She is at present discharging cargo, and will take nothing in. The veiy fine weather has doubtless prevented a repetition of the Tararua disaster.

Ixvercargill, This day,

The steamer Rotomahana, when coming from Dunediu to the Bluff, struck on the Waipapa reef, about the same place as the Tararua. She bumped several times but floated oil in half-an-hour. On reaching the Bluff one blade of the propeller was found to be broken, and two others carried away. The vessel will return to Port Chalmers. The lighthouse at Waipapa will not be finished for two months, having been delayed through various causes. Wellington, This day.

A survey held on the Rotomahana shows no perceptible damage excepting the propeller being broken. The accident happened at 3.1-3. The vessel was then supposed to bo entering tho middle of Foveaux Straits, about four miles clear of the land, steering a course to clear Waipapa. When the vessel .struck the second ■ mate was in charge on the bridge, Capt. Carey being below. The night was clear, but a haze was over the land. A liyht southerly wind was blowing, but there was a heavy roll from the southward. She struck about a mile and a half off the land, and remained there an hour, bumping lightly. The engines were put full speed astern without moving her, ami tried full speed ahead. The same result was made hero ; she bumped once very heavily, and then a second swell lifted her off the rocks, and she steamed clear. The boats were got ready, and life-belts served out to the crew and passengers, although tho steerage passengers complained there was no life belts in the steerage, and several had to go down to the saloon and take them out of the saloon berths. Complete order reigned on board, and Captain Carey was quite master of the situation, ordering everything to be done without confusion. The sea was smooth with a heavy swell, but no break. The Otara reef was visible outside the position of the vessel, as well as between her and the shore. There was a .southerly swell throughout the night, and the strong spring flood tide, it is surmised, set her further in shore than was expected.