GROUNDING OF THE WARRIMOO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2187, 17 September 1907, Page 2

GROUNDING OF THE WARRIMOO.

THOROUGH EFFORTS TO FLOAT HER. , Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 16. Early yesterday evening a sensation was oiudcd in the city by the news that the Union Company b War-, rimoo, which left Lyttelton on Saturday night for Newcastle, was ashore closo to the lighthouse at Capo Farewell. Mr. Whitson, acting manager of the company’s Wellington office states that tho Warrimoo, after painting and overhauling m Lytteltoil graving dock, -was floated out on Saturd iv morning. Instead of going to Port Chalmers to complete the overhaul, the vessel sailed at 11.30 on Saturday night for Newcastle, with the Monowai’s spare tail .shaft, propeller boss, and crank shaft, which l id been brought up from Port Chalmers by the Tarawera in case the Monowai required one of these parts. Tho alteration of the Monowai’s movements was necessitated by the disarrangement of the time-table, due to tho Monowai’s non-arrival at Sydney. Captain Mcßeth, in charge of the Warrimoo, had been advised to communicate with Farewell Spit lighthouse yesterday afternoon, with the view of obtaining tidings of the Monowad. Mr. Whitson, on receipt of nows of the mishap to the Warrimoo, directed the Westport branch to send the Arahura to the Warrimoo’s assistance. The Nelson branch was also instructed to despatch the Roioiti on arrival from Wellington. The collier Pukaki was despatched at 11.15 list night for Farewell Spit, with salvage gear. At 2.30 this morning the Union Company received tho following - telegram from Cape Farewell: —“High water, wind south, freshening; no change in Warrimoo’s position. No sign of any other steamer.” If the Warrimoo remains aground at high water it is. expected that the combined efforts of the company’s steamers will extricato tho vessel from her position on this afternoon’s tide. The vessel, it is believed, has neither passengers nor cargo of any kind. Her position cannot be considered dangerous _ under the circumstances. The Marine Department received a message from Cape Farewell lighthouse stating that the s.s. Warrimoo is still ashore near the landing place for the lighthouse, and that the Rotoiti, from Nelson, had arrived, and was standing by. In addition to the Rotoiti, the Mararoa, Arahura, and Pukaki have gone to the scene of the acci-

dent. DUNEDIN, September 16. Another attempt is to be made at 3 o’clock this afternoon to float off the Warrimoo. The steamers Mararoa, Pukaki, Arahura, andHotoiti are assisting. WESTPOR,T, September 16. _ The s.s. Arahura left early this morning to assist the .6.8. Warrimoo at Farewell Spit.

THE VESSEL FLOATED OFF. SUPPOSED TO BE UNDAMAGED. Press Association. NELSON, September 16. The Warrimoo went ashore at the Spit about 6 o’clock last evening. It is surmised that the captain got close in to communicate with the lighthouse for tidings of the Monowai. The weather was foggy at the time, and he approached too close to the sand spit. The sea was calm at the time, but a strong south-easter was blowing. The Warrimoo is about two miles from the end of the spit, on the Golden Biy side, in. a sheltered position, with sandy bottom. She therefore come to no harm, -f At high water this morning an attempt was made to kedge the steamer off with anchors and full steam, but it was unsuccessful. The south-easter blowing assisted to nullify the efforts made. The Rotoiti reached Nelson from Wellington at 2.15 o’clock this moraine-. She landed her passengers and immediately left for the scene, arriving before 7 o’clock. She then anchored until high tide. The Arahura on her trip to Westport and Grey-mouth received instructions to proceed to the W-arrimoo. She landed all passengers at Westport, took in bunker coal, and left at s. o’clock, and should arrive at the spit about 2 o’clock. • Tlie Mararoa, from Wellington, is also due this afternoon, and at high water the three steamers will endeavor to tow the Warrimoo off. " Later.

At 1.15 p.m. the Rotoiti and Marsroa had tow-lines on the Warrimoo, and the steamer glided, off into deep water. The Mararoa and Warrimoo went through the Straits, presumably to ’Wellington. The Araiiura returned to the coast, __ It is not anticipated that the Warrimoo has sustained the slightest damage. TOWING OPERATIONS. CAUSE OF THE MISHAP. Press Association. NELSON. Sept. 16. Early this morning the Rotoiti was sent to Farewell Spit to assist the Warrimoo, arriving there at 7.30 o’clock. The stranded steamer was ibout three-quarters of a mile on the north-west of the lighthouse. Owing to the bow being on a sandy beach and dead low water her propellor was just visible. A strong south-east wind was blowing with a considerable iea. The Rotoiti steamed within a iiundred yards, and preparations, were made for towing off when the tide rose, a wire hawser connecting the ressels. At a quarter to one the Mararoa arrived from Wellington, and stood by a. quarter of a mile from tho Rotoiti, while half kn hour later olie Arahura steamed up from Westport. At 1.20 the Rotoiti commenced towing, the engines being put slow ahead, then half speed, and finally lull speed. The Warrimoo glided off the sandbank into deep water at 1.30, when Captain Mcßetk signalled, “No damage,” and the Warrimoo and Mararoa steamed off to Wellington. Tlio Arahura left for Westport, and the Rotoiti for Nelson. Great praise is due to Captain Robertson for the seamanlike manner in which he handled the Rotoiti. It was ascertained that Captain Mcßeth was standing in. close to the Spit lighthouse to" ascertain if there wore any tidings of the .Monowai, when the, Warrimoo touched one of the ever-moving sandbanks, - tho water decreasing in a few yards from twenty fathoms to nine.

WARRIMOO PROCEED* “D PORT CHALMEIr (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. The Mararoa has returned from Farewell Spit. Her assistance in towing tho Warrimoo was not required, as the stranded vessel had been already got off by tho Rotoiti. The Warrimoo is on her way to Port Chalmers, but will go close in to Godley Head for orders.