STEAMER ESSEX.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 923, 23 June 1903, Page 3

STEAMER ESSEX.

DELAYED IN SYDNEY OWING TO LEAKS FORE AND AFT.

CARGO BEING UNLOADED TO EFFECT UEI'AIUS.

By; Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. SYDNEY, June 22.

Tin. departure of the steamer Essex for Suutli Africa has been delayed i.nving lo the discovery that she .is making considerable water in the Folds, hoih loro and ait. After the pumps had cleared them an examinati ;n disclosed that the caulking in the seams of some of the plates had given way, probably caused by the. .straining in the rough weather c.vpi\> lUiced on tho run from Wellington .

It. will be necessary to discharge a considerable portion of file to remedy Lliu defect,s. The work of unloading .was begun .to-day. Keeeivcd 12.12 a.m., June 23. The discharging of Llie cargo on the Essex is prpceeuing, preparatory to docking. Probably all the frozen nie.-vt will require to be landed. A quantity of the cargo, principally grain in No. 5 hatch, is reported to be damaged by water. It lias been ascertained that the leakage was caused by her rivets at the bendbilge having started. The full extent of the damage will not be known till she is docked. The agents claim that the leak is no more than what was common to the new steel vessels, and that she could have made llie voyage to South Africa with perfect safety. The leak was first noticed on voyaging from Wellington. '