WRECK OF COOMA.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1926, Page 1

WRECK OF COOMA.

HOLIDAY TRIP SPOIL!’

AUCKLAND, Aug,

A holiday trip that terminated unexpectedly in the shape of a shipwreck fell to the lot of four New Zealanders who arrived at Auckland to-day by the Aorangi from Sydney. They were: Messrs J. B. Wilkins, J. A. Redpath aid A. L. Smith, of Christchurch, and Air AV. A. Cooke, of Auckland. They were passengers aboard the ill-fated Cooma, which ran aground on tlie south-eastern corner of N°rth Reef, off the Queensland coast, on July 7. Describing the wreck, members of the party stated that the Cooma had about 300 tourists aboard, all bound on a pleasure trip to Cairns, AV hen the evening dinner was in progress they were all startled by a severe hump, followed by the crash of broken crockery, deck chairs and other, movable articles. There was a rush for the deck, and it was discovered that the vessel was hard and fast on the reef. “Fortunately the Cooma struck the reef head on,” said Air Cooke. “Had she hit it broadside on there is no knowing what would have happened. An anxious night was spent aboard. The weather was fair,ly calm, but (nevertheless breakers continually swept over the deck. The crew behaved splendidly. The captain told us that if wo followed his instruction's ho would land us safely *n the morning. The steamers Burwah and Aloresby were standing by and preparations were made to transfer the passengers.” ' Tho women were the first away, and they had to climb down a rope ladder, followed by a precarious jump into the swell-tossed lifeboat. Everyone was transferred without serious mishap. One woman had her finger crushed, but it was nothing serious.

All the passengers were taken to Rockhampton, and later to Sydney. Apart from the experience of the wreck and tho inconvenience of a spoiled holiday trip, all the party suffered the loss of their personal effects. Air Wilkins lost his suitcase and other miscellaneous travelling equipment. Describing what happened, Air Redpatli said that no one went to bed on the night of the wreck, hut sat in the lounge rooms with life-belts on. AY hen the ship first struck it was high tide, hut about ten o’clock the tide ebbed and the surf began to break over tho decks. The rolling of the vessel caused a great deal of discomfort.

On July 10, when the survey party visited the Cooma, the vessel was declared to he doomed. She v\as leaking freely and it was only the weight- of here cargo that kept her from hi caking up Tho North Reef was in an exposed position, and the vessel had no protection against the elements. LOSS OF THE COOAIA. AIELBOURNE’, Aug. 3. > The Alarine Court, inquiring into the loss of the steamer Cooma on tlie Queensland coastal reef on July, found the charge of unskilful navigation proved against Captain George Alaine, and suspended his certificate for two months from tho date of the stranding of the vessel.