SAFETY OF THE PENGUIN.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2381, 19 November 1881, Page 3

SAFETY OF THE PENGUIN.

[PEB PEEB3 ASSOCIATION.! PICTON, November 19, The Penguin arrived at midnight, having got off without sustaining any damage what ever. She sailed for Wellington and the South at 1 a.m.

NELSON, November 19,

The Wallace arrived in harbor at midnight and reports that the Penguin was got off the reef at the French Pass about half-past six p.m. The Wallace arrived in the French Pass at about four o’clock, and endeavored to render assistance to the Penguin, but could not get near her till afternoon at about five o’clock. She took the passengers from the steamer, and hawsers were got out, and the Wallace attempted to tow her off, but after moving her about forty feet the hawser snapped, and the Wallace could do no more. The Penguin was, however, in a better position, and shortly after six o’clock she appeared to be floating, and after that she went right off the reef. It was found that she was uninjured, and the Wallace then returned the passengers to the Penguin, which vessel proceeded on to Pioton. The passengers wore much alarmed, and this feeling increased on finding that neither the Hawoa, which came through the Pass on Friday morning, nor the Wallace could get near enough to take them off at low tide. The ship’s stern was high out of water, and some thought she would not get off. All were, therefore, greatly rejoiced when she went over the reef all right. No particulars are given as to the cause of the accident, but a passenger stated that Captain Malcolm was only called just as the ship got to the beacon. She evidently went on the wrong side of the channel. It is stated that the beacon recently erected has had the effect of diverting the current, and has added considerably to the difficulty of the navigation. WELLINGTON, November 19.

The Penguin arrived at 9.15 this morning, and is now going round to go on the patent slip. Captain Malcolm’s account of the accident is as follows :—Left Nelson at 5 p.m. on the 17th for Wellington via Picton, On approaching the French Pass, the night being very dark rendered it very difficult to pick up the beacon, and when he did, he found he was to the northward of it, and the only chance was to take the middle of the channel, which he attempted to do, but missed it by about 10ft. He did not deem it advisable to reverse the engines, because by doing so the vessel would have gone broadside on to the reef. The vessel struck at 8 25 p.m,, and remained fast till 6 p.m. last night, when she fl sated off without injury, and proceeded on her voyage