S. S. WAKATU.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1924, Page 4

S. S. WAKATU.

IMiOSIM:. TS OF DKFLOATTXC. DLKNIIFJ.M, Sept. S. There was no ehmigo in the position of the Wakatu up to midday. The captain is hopeful of getting the ship oil' if the weather remains calm, but says it will have to remain very calm. WKI.LINOTON, Sept. S. The slopping manager of Levin and i o. lias received a telegram from Cap tain Dobertson stating Hint tile Withal it was high anil dry, broadside on to the sea. She had received a severe pounding at high water, and on Saturday night a fairly heavy sea was running. Arrangements had been made lo convey twelve tons of miscellaneous cargo consigned to Knikourn and Lyttelton to Knikourn. The rudder had gone at the neck and many of the plates were buckled and crackl'd, but the structure above the bilge was in good order. Success in rolloating the vessel depended entirely on line weather. Captain Robertson believed that this was the only chance for her. The crew of eleven were standing by. Air Signal, superintending engineer for Levin and Company, is arriving in Wellington tu-dav front Foxton. lie will probablv proceed to the Wakatu to see wltat can he done. The Canterbury Company's Calm, while on

route trom Lyttelton to Wellington, sighted the Wakatu early on Sunday morning when about a mile and a ball the shore. A member of the Calm's complement slated that the Wakatu was lying broadside on to the sea, which was calm. She U'as standing upright and the sea oil the port side -was ju-t lapping her side. It was then low water. There seemed to be a bank of gravel between the sea and the vessel. She appeared to lie lying easily and one could have imagined her at Iter berth.