RIVERINA ASHORE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1927, Page 2

RIVERINA ASHORE

152 PASSENGERS ABOARD

[Australian & X.Z. Cablo Association.]

SYDNEY, April 19

The Riverina left Hobart for Sydney at noon on Saturday and experienced fresh weather till Sunday morning, when the wind rose to gale force and heavy seas from the south-east were encountered. The visibility became bad, and towards dusk thick clouds were accompanied by heavy rain. The vessel went ashore at 7.15 a. in. on a sandy bottom. Late last night she was humping badly. The ship has 152 passengers aboard and the crew number 100. The steamer Port Nicholson is standing bv and other steamers, including Iron Baron, Goulbourn and three trawlers will be at the scene thiU”'’ morn i ng. Two powerful tugs, after bunkering, will leave Sydney to-day.

Meantime the Riverina is in no immediate danger, but (lie weather is too rough to permit transhipment of passengers. Heavy storms along the coast interrupted telegraphic communication with Gabo Island. Lines are down in several places. Captain Parry commands the Riverina. He thinks there is little likelihood of the vessel being refloated. SYDNEY, April 19. Residents of Mallaeotta during the afternoon went to the scene of the stranding of the Riverina and signalled asking if assistance were wanted from the shore. The captain replied in tne negative, saying everyone on board was well and happy. Residents state from the position of the ship the passengers could citslv be got ashore at low tlcte, as the vessel is well up against a steep beach.

A message from Gabo states waves lushed by the gale were breaking high against the Riverina, and between blinding showers of rain the lighthouse keepers can see the vessel humping heavily. The Iron Baron and Goullutrtt are still standing hv.

Telephonic communication wasettab. Hslied with Mallaeotta post office, a few miles from Gabo, when it was learned that two vessels are stilt standing by the Riverina. The owners state they consider no useful purpose would lie served by taking the passengers off the Riverina. and placing them

ashore, where there is little accommodation and for the present, as the ship is apparently safe, they remain aboard. STEAMER IN TROUBLE. SYDNEY. Aprl 18. The latest report front the Riverina states the weather and sea are still rough, the ship bumping heavily, but making no water. The Port Nicholson is short of coal and was ordered to proceed to Sydney. The Goulbtirit is -still standing by but owing to the weather is unable to attempt to tranship the passengers who are still aboard the. Riverina. There is a possibility that at low tide this afternoon the passengers may be able to get ashore. The Maunganui from Wellington intercepted calls for assistance, but as it was known a number of steamers were nearer the scene. Captain Davev decided not to deviate from his course. A) irelcss must he depended upon for all reports from the Riverina as the land lines arc down as a result of the storm. SYDNEY. April 19. The tug St. Olaves, which left Newcastle yesterday morning to proceed to the Rivet-ilia’s assistance, after fighting its wtty down the coast in the teeth of a south-easterly gale was compelled at a late hour last night to seek shelter in Sydney Harbour, off Broken Bay. The wind reached hurricane force, estimated blowilhr at 7” miles an hour. The tug St. Giles is also thought to be sheltering somewhere down the oast. The Riverina position is unchanged. The passengers and crew are still aboard. No attempt to land or tranship them will be made until the weather moderates, nr circumstances compel a move. The cyclonic disturbance centred near the southern coast of New South AA ales is causing southerly gales which are humping the Riverina on the beach.