S.S. WAKATU.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1924, Page 4

S.S. WAKATU.

ASHORE AT CLARENCE RIVER.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION,

BLENHEIM, Sept. At an early hour this morning the ■small steamer Wakatti hound from Wellington to Kaikotira and Lyttelton, went ashore in a thick log on Waipnpa Point, at the mouth of the Clarence river. The first news of the occurrence was received hy the police at Blenheim from the Postmaster at Clnron eo Bridge. The workmen employed hy the Public AA’nrks* Department at the bridge early tiiis morning hoard explosions and saw distress signals from rockets being sent up. by some vessel close to the shore. They communicated with the postmaster who advised the police. At that stage nothing definite was known as to thM identity of the vessel in trouble, or as to the nature of her plight. After daybreak. however, the heavy fog apparently lifted, and it became known that the steamer was the AA’akatu. She had gone aground in the vicinity of AA'aipnpa Point, at approximately the spot where the Tnraroa. met her fate in April 1887. when many lives were lost. Late messages stated that the crow would he able to reach the shore safely. They were being eared for hy the settlers and the Public AA orks Department etnployi.es. Nothing definite is known as to til" stale of the sea. hut it would appear that if the vessel encountered a thick fog there would hi* almost a total absonco of wind and presumably the sea would lie calm. A message from Clarence intimated that a light southerly breeze v.-as blowing. However, information gained in shipping circles ill Blenheim this morning was to tin* effect that tile A\ akal ll intended to cut out her call to lxaikoura on account of the heavy sea running, and would have proceeded direct to Lyttelton. The stranded steamer may lie himioing hadlv. Mentor Sergt. Clarkson, who is conversant with the Marlborough and the East Coast in the vicinity of'Clarence, states I he Wakatti is likely to be on a shingly bottom oil' AA'aipawa Point, and providing the weather is not tempestuous, i- hardly likely to come to harm and may lie successfully floated oil'. ‘Hi a favourable tide.

A telegraphic message received Iroltt Kaikonra is to the effect that the A\ akatu went ashore at the mouth of Clarence river at an early hour this morning. Tin* passengers amt crow are safe. A heavy sea was itinning, also heavy rain.

The AVakatu is a steamer of l‘>7 tons gross and Do net tonnage. Sin* is nil.-i feel long, 18ft. beam and 8.111. in depth. She was built at Nelson in 1 STD. and was registered at AA rllinglon in 188.'!. The owners are Levin and Coy. Ltd. Contain Robertson is in command, and In* would have a crew of some six or eight men. She runs regularly from Wellington t'o Kaikonra and Lyttelton and commenced till l trio which ended so disastrously about S o’clock last evening at AA'ellingtou. She may have been carrying; one or two passengers, Imt tins is not definitely know.

VESSEL men AND DRV. BLENHEIM. Sept. 0. The Wakatti, which went ashore at live o’clock in the morning, is now high and dry. The crew walked ashore without wetting their feet, and everybody is safe. A'erv little damage has been mine. There was one passenger aboard, lint the name is not ascertainable. REFLOATING EXPECTED. cHßisTciintcir. sept. ti. The AVakatu is lying on an even keel, anti appears safe, unless a heavy sea comes up. There is no serious damage to the hull, and the ship may l« rellnalcd after temporary repairs.