ACCIDENT TO THE ATRATO.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1357, 4 December 1872, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO THE ATRATO.

The return of tbo Atrato, Government and passenger emigrant steamer, bound for Australia, was dud to her having lost all four blades of her Bcrew propeller. This fine vessel left the Sound on 17th September with 40 cabin passengers and 462 Government emigrants. She had proceeded about fifty miles down Channel, when suddenly a crash was heard, the screw shaft began to revolve very rapidly, and the vessel lost her way. It was tben discovered that she had lost her screw propeller, and all on board felt considerable consternation at being suddenly bereft of motive power, and transformed from a fine steamship into a sailing ves3el. It was at once resolved to put back to Plymouth, and that port was reached under sail on 18th September about dusk. A pilot had been taken on board at Cawsand Bay, and he brought her into the Sound. Tho precaution of lowering sails or of luffing before dropping anchor, was nob taken, however, and in consequence no sooner had the anchor touched the bottom than the cab'e gave away. Another anchor was then dropped, and met with a like fate. The position was one causing much anxiety, for a westerly breeze was blowing, and the fine ship was drifting into the bay, and if she followed her courac unchecked, or if she could not be got to go about, she would shortly be ashore under Jenny Cliff. The buoy originally laid down for the West India mail steamers was steered for, and as the Atrato passed a large schooner at anchor she made known her helpless condition. A boat was got out from the schooner, and took a hawser on board, and towed it to tho buoy, bringing the ship up, and subsequently a boat's crew from H.M,S. Thalia, lying in the Sound, brought a heavier hawser, and thus secured the Atrato safely for the night. There being no dry dock at Plymouth capable of taking in a ship of the great draught of the Atiato, application was made to the Government authorities, and Admiral Sir William King Hall at once granted permission that the. Atrato should be docked at Keyham, and thither she was removed. Her cabin passengers have been comfortably housed at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, and her emigrants at the depot. On the news of the accident reaching him, Mr Childers, who until his acceptance of the office of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, represented the Government of the Colony in this country, accompanied lay Mr Cashel Hoey, who is now in charge of the Victorian agency, proceeded to Plymouth from Sidmoath, where he has been residing during the recess, to visit the shin and depot, and thank the naval and dockyard authorities for the prompt and energetic assistance which they had given at the survey which was held in the presence of Admiral Sir William King Hall, by Mr Grey, of tho Board of Trade ; Mr Rock, the representative of Messrs James Watt and Co., and Mr tJoyd, the chief engineer of the Atrato, attending. It was discovered that the accident was caused by the giving way of the studbolw, by which the blades had been secured to the bosa of the screw. The vessel has been fitted with fresh steel blades, aDd will leave at once for her destination. — European Mail. [Our English telegrams to-day announce that the Atrato has been condemned.]