STEAMER MANAIA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1926, Page 2

STEAMER MANAIA

[by telegraph—rEß press association

FURTHER PARTICULARS

- AUCKLAND, June 11

The steamer Ngapuhi is expected to arrive at Auckland shortly after ten o’clock to-night with the passengers from the Manaia.

The work of transferring the passengers at the scene of the wreck was safely accomplished, the Ngapuhi being at the scene for four hours, and sailing at 2.15 p.m. for Auckland. The steamer appears to bo doomed.

The following message was sent out by Captain Norhury from the Manaia by 6.3 p.m.—“Making water badly. Engine room getting Hooded. Dynamos won’t last much longer. Ship lias very heavy list.”

THE INSURANCE. AUCKLAND, dune 11

It lias been the policy of the Northern Steamship Cov. to carry most of its own .risks. Thus, in the balance sheet for the year ended March 31st. last, the sum of £56,730 was credited to the insurance account, and £19,111 to insurance account No. 2 thus giving a. total reserve of £65.841. Apart from that, all the company’s vessels are convicted by a “T.L.0.” (total loss only) policy, taken out ‘with ordinary insurance companies. The amount of the “T.L.0.” policy covering the Manaia was not available to-night. Her value may be roughly stafed at over £20.000.

At-K LAND, June 11. T 1 ie Ngapuhi reached Auckland with the Manaia’s passengers, slmr:

before 11 o’clock to-night

The passengers, when interviewed, said that the wreck was not attended by any sign of panic. The only indication that anything was amiss was a sudden grinding, as the ship piled up on the reel hard and fast. Though all the passengers looked tired, .scarcely any showed serious signs of their experience.

,The passengers said that the Manaia. when they left her at 2 o'clock this afternoon, had a decided list. The work of salvaging the luggage and cargo was,in progress, but a lntor report is that the crew left the wrecked vessel in the schooner Motu. “What we need, more than anything else is sleep.” said one of the passengers. “None of us has had any since last night, though some were able to doze for a’coiipV* of hours on the Xgotiuhi.” The steamer Marama. bound for Sydney, was delayed to take those passengers who were coming by the Mnnnin t<> join . lsar ami had transferred to the Ngapuhi. The main concern of those transferring to the Marama was the safety of their luggage. This was naturally somewhat disorganised. but the officials worked bard and few of the passengers boarded their now ship dissatisfied. All pay tribute to the conduct of the women and children, particularly the children. When the ship struck one passenger remarked, “the kiddies just stood by without murmur.”

“The luckiest feature of the mishap,’’ said a. member of a Theatrical Coy. “was the fine weather. Had there been a south easterly, there would not have been so many of us to tell the tale!”

He added that the general impression was that the Manaia was held up bv only one rock.

The pasage on the Ngapuhi was described as comfortable, and high tributes were paid to the officers and crew of the vessel.

ENG IN E-ROOM FLOODED. AUCKLAND. June 11

At 9.10 p.m. to-night, the Captain of the Manaia. reported that the Malinin's stokehold and engine-room were Hooded.

Some of the crew were being transferred to the Kiniu, which is standing

BOY'S FALL INTO HARBOUR. CHRISTCHURCH, June 11. While coming down the gangway of the liner Ruapehu, this morning, a Lyttelton bov, Jack Dromgoole, aged 12, overbalanced and fell into tlie harbour. He struck the wharf in bis fall, breaking one arm. A lifebelt kept him afloat until be was secured by a rope. He was afterwards removed to the Christchurch Hospital. HOPE OF SALVAGE. TAURANGA, June 12. The steamer Clansman arrived from Auckland this morning. She observed lights on the Manaia. considered to be oil lights. The steamer Rimu was standing bv. it is considered possible that the Manaia’s cargo will be salvaged as the sea is calm. AUCKLAND. June 12. But little bone is entertained of salvaging the Manaia. Captain Norbury late last night stated the vessel was badly holed forward, and the water in the holds was rising rapidly. The vessel’s bow is so far on the reef tliaL there is no immediate danger of sinking. The sea is smooth. A great deal of cargo in the after holds lias been transferred to the scow Mdtu. A message at 11.5 stated the Rimu had taken off the crow, except live, who wore standing by. nlionrd the Manaia.