THE RIVERINA

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1927, Page 3

THE RIVERINA

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] SYDNEY, April 20. T lie weather at tlie scene of the Riverina’s stranding is moderating, but the sea is still too high to permit the steamer Gotilburn getting close to her. A suggestion was made by Captain Parry of the Riverina. that if the weather did not moderate sufficiently this morning for passengers to be transferred to the Gonlliurn that they .slid(ild be taken ashore at low tide. Ihe Riverina is three hundred feet | Horn, the shore at low tide, it probably lie easier to transfer the passengers to the shore than tranship them to the Goulburn. No decision will bo reached, however, until the weather prospects arc brighter. Parry stated tlie sandbank was forming mi the seaward side of the Riverina. All aboard are well and comfortable. The vessel is not making water. I lie tug St. Olaves is unable to leave for the .scene owing to the tempestuous seas. The tug St. Giles lias not reported I since she. left Sydney. Unless she is sheltering she should now be near the Riverina

, passengers all LANDED. I . (Received tins day at 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, April j 29. A wireless from the Riverina states that all the passengers, three steward- ■ esses and the purser have saiolv land--1 od ;. ‘ • The vessel is in a safe position, and all on hoard are well. ’The owners are endeavouring to bring (ho passengers to Sydney by way of Bombala. ’They are arranging to take them to Bombala bv motor cars and thence entrain them to Sydney. The message from the vessel does not state how the passengers landed. Ini! it is surmised that lifeboats were used, as there would lie fairly calm water on the leeward side of the stranded vessel. NO HOPE FOR VESSEL. SYDNEY, April 21. The Riverina is bumping badly, and is daily becoming more firmly embedded in the sand. Even if both tugs reach her it is practically certain they will not be aide to pull the badly strained vessel from the shore. Willi the bad weather which is expected at ibis period of the year, the Riverina is certain to become a total wreck. THE PASSENGERS LANDED. (Received this day at Lo.2fi a.m.) SYDNEY. April 21. ’Taking advantage of a lull in tile weather boats were lowered from tlie Riverina on the sheltered side and made a success IT 1 1 trip to the shore. A line was attached to either end and the boat was then hauled backwards and forwards with passengers aboard till all were landed on the iicacli. Sonic passengers expressed a desire to remain on the Riverina but this the captain refused to allow. The passengers alter landing had a trysoine journey to Mallneoota where they will in’ accommodated till transportation to Sydney is arranged. The w ent her in Sydney is now bright, but it is still wintry weather and seas at the site of the Riverina stranding have abated considerably but ellTirls to get a tow line from tin; Gmdboiirn were unsuccessful. Further attempts will be made to-dav when it is expected the Lug St. (Tiles will have arrived