UNCHARTED ROCK.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1928, Page 3

UNCHARTED ROCK.

EXTENSIVE SEARCH TO BE MADE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND. Jan. 9. An extensive searen for the uncharted rock north of Gisborne which the steamer Northumlierhmd is believed to have struck last January is to he made next month by the minesweeper Wakakura and the sloops Laburnum and Veronica. The Northumberland struck v a sulsrnerged object between Tualiine Point and Gable End foreland while travelling from Auckland to Napier. The liner was .steaming at 13 knots when those on board felt a heavy shock, and the ship was stopped. She was found

to be making water fast and a course was set for Gisborne at full speed. Temporary repairs were effected at Gisborne, and the Northumberland then came to Auckland, where she went into dock. Repairs in Calliope Dock took eleven weeks to complete, the cost being in the vicinity of £BOOO. Shortlv after the mishap the Government steamer, Tutanekai, carried out a protracted survey in the vicinity of the .spot where the Northumberland is supposed to have struck the submerged rock. She searched for five days over an area of two square miles between Ariel Reef to the seaward and Papapouri Point on the mainland. She failed to locate any rock, hut found a level lxittom of papa rock, the depth of water varying from 27 to 38 fathoms. An area of six square miles in the same vicinity is now to he surveyed minutely by the minesweeper and the two sloops. One vessel will act as a guide, and the other two will operate special deep-sea trawls. It is not known definitely when the survey will lie commenced. The warships now at the naval base, Devon port, will shortly commence their manoeuvres for the present year. The official itinerary has not yet been prepared. It is expected, however, that about a fortnight will l>e spent in Hauraki Gulf in the new year, so that the survey will not be carried out until next month.