THE TRIUMPH DISASTER.—UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO FLOAT HER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3862, 3 December 1883, Page 3

THE TRIUMPH DISASTER. —UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO FLOAT HER.

Auckland, This day. An unsuccessful attempt Avas made to get the Triumph off on Saturday, and the steamers AVaitaki, Glcnelg, lona, and Argylc made a united effort to tow the big steamer off the reef yesterday morning, but after over an hour's trial it had to be abandoned as unsuccessful. The captain says tho pilot told him to give the island a wide berth, but lie stood up to the light for the purpose of making a straight course thence to Capo Colville, but unfortunately he kept too close in. They saw the light all the time, and knCAV it avos Tiri, but did not think he Avas so close in. When the look-out man gave the alarm land Avas only 150 yards distant; he then gave the order full speed astern, and kept the engines going all night, .but Avithout moving tho vessel. The ketch Lizzette, which Avas lightering during a heavy Avesterly squall yesterday, carried away her bulwarks, and stove in the top portion of her port side. Tho captain of the Triumph has his boats slung out with life-buoys in them, in order to provide for eventualities in case of a sudden change of wind. The .steamer Argylc remains in attendance. The officers and crow of the Triumph appear to take things quietly, apparently accepting the inevitable with a spirit of resignation. The score of Chinese firemen are the most unconcerned of all.

The steamer lies in the same position. To-day a proposal avus made to lighten tho vessel by the removal of her cargo and an attempt to drag her off by employing a Union Company's steamer. This Avould probably give force enough to tear the plates in the bow completely off. The captain of the Triumph has abandoned tho vessel to the underwriters, considering it impossible to get her oft.