A SCOW ASHORE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 184, 12 August 1901, Page 2

A SCOW ASHORE.

URUROA RUNS AGROUND IN A FOG.

HIGH AND DRY ON AVAIKANAE BEACH.

Eaely yestorday morning a report was circulated in town that a largo vcssol was ashore on the AVaikanac beach, and the news quickly spreading, many residents, despite the steady downpour of rain that prevailed, could be seen making their way in the direction of the Victoria township. The report, unfortunately, proved too true, tho vessel in question being tho scow Ururoa, which had been in the bay sineo tho previous morning, awaiting a favorable opportunity to sail to Mongonui.

CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.

But little is known of the causo of the vessel going aground, tho captain and crow, in view of the enquiry which is likely to be held, being reticent as to the reason of the mishap. From enquiries made, however, it appears that tho Ururoa started on her journey for Mongonui shortly after two o’clock yestorday morning. A southerly breeze was just springing up, but tho weather was very thick. Tho vossel had been lying under Young Nick’s Head during the previous afternoon and getting under way soon oamo in the vicinity of tho Waikanae beach. An attempt was then made to bring her about, but she missed stays, and went aground near the leading lights, about a mile from Grey street. It was shortly before four o’clock when she wont aground, and the weather was very thick at the time.

SCENE ON THE BEACH.

The scene on the Waikanao beach during tho day was a most animated one. From an early hour there was a steady stream of persons to and from the vessel. In the afternoon large crowds Hocked to the beaoh for the purpose of inspeoting the vessel. It was an unusual sight to Gisbornites to see a vessel of the size of the Ururoa almost high and dry on the beach. The crow of the vessel remained on board, and two or three of them could bo seen on deck smoking their pipes and taking things with remarkable ease. The tide was at its height at three o’clock in the afternoon, and the vessel was then afloat at bow and stem but hard aground midships.

DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL,

The Ururoa is a substantial threemasted scow, constructed on modern linos. She was built at AVhangaroa last year, and is owned by Messrs Lane and Brown, of that placo, although wo understand that Captain C. Olsen, who is in command, has also an interest in the vossel. Tho Ururoa was specially, built for the intercolonial timber trade, and made her first trip to Sydney at tho latter end of last year, proceeding afterwards to Newcastle, where she loaded with coals for this ports. A socond trip was made in April last and a third last month. From Mongonui the scow has taken upwards of 200,000 feet of timber for tho Australian port, whilst her carrying capacity of coal is about 320 tons.

THE CREW.

The seow is in charge of Captain Olsen, who has been in command since she was launched. She has a crew of eight, comprising the following:—Mate, W. Harris ; A.B’s, C. Christenson, Bromley, Roberts, Anderson, and E. Lane, the latter being a nephew of one of the owners; apprentice, Clyde Evans (of Gisborne); cook and steward, F. Quest. Messrs Kennedy and Evans are the local agents for the scow.

INSURANCES.

From our Auckland special correspondent we learn that the Ururoa is insured in the New Zealand office for £2OOO. Tho vessel cost to build between £3OOO and £4OOO.

THE CAPTAIN INTERVIEWED,

A Times representative interviewed Captain Olson on board the Ururoa at nine o’clock last evening, and was most cordially received, although the captain declined to make any statement, or give any information as to the cause of the vessel going aground. Captain Olsen stated that the scow left Gisborne on Thursday last for Mongonui, but when off Gable End Foreland a strong northeasterly gale was encountered, and the vessel after beating about for a time returned to port on Saturday. After the vessel went aground, Captain Olsen had the anchor and a hundred fathoms of chain sent on hoard the Noko, so that efforts might be made to float the vessel off' the beach. .

POSITION OF THE VESSEL.

At nine o’clock last evening, when our reporter visited the locality, the tide was out, and the vessel was high and dry on the beach. There were twenty or thirty yards of sand on the seaward side of the Ururoa. There was a waterway through the sand for a considerable distance,' showing how the vessel had worked itself on to the beach after going aground. Beyond slight damage to the keel, the scow has apparently suffered little injury. She is drawing very little water, and provided the weather keeps fine, there should be no difficulty in hauling her off, although every tide makes matters worse.

EFFORTS TO REFLOAT. Wo understand that an attempt will be made to float the vessel this afternoon at about four o’clock, when it will be high tide. The steamer Noko will convoy a largo anchor and long length of oable ’to the locality, and the anchor will bo dropped outside the breakers, the cable being carried on board the Ururoa. In this way it is hoped, with the assistance of the flood tide, to haul the vessel off.