A TOTAL LOSS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1928, Page 1

A TOTAL LOSS

STEAMER WRECKED. A ICELAND, Feb. 1. Following closely on the loss of the steamer dan M’William at Yavau, came the news this morning by the British Phosphate Commission that the steamer Ocean Transport had gone ashore on a reef at Ocean Island, and was a total loss. The crew got ashore safely. The vessel had no cargo aboard at tne time, her loading having been delayed by strong winds and heavy seas. The Ocean Transport was a steamer of -16-16 tons. She was built at West Hartlepool in 1913. The vessel was ot steel, of the single screw type,

and was fitted with wireless. The Ocean Transport was owned by the Empire Transport Company (Houldcr Bros.) one of the Furness lines. She was under charter to Andrew AA'eir and Company, and visited Auckland on September sth. of last year, when she dischar ■god a cargo of sulphur from Texas. She. arrived at Ocean Island on January 14th. from Sydney, and was ready to load when ibe accident happ -ned. It is understood in Auckland th?t the steamer was caught by a southerly gale while lying at a loading buoy off the island, and was piled on life coral reef, which surrounds the island, while attempting to steam out to sea. In a rough sea the officers and crew "mild have a very difficult task in getting ashore as in a heavy surf landing is treacherous. That the task

was safely accomplished shows that good seamanship was displayed by ibe captain and bis officers. The Ocean Transport was commanded by Captain J. N. Organ, and her officers were: Chief. ATr R. S. Grigg; second, Air X'. F. Periton; third, Air C. J. Lee; chief engineer. Air J. Smith; second. Air IF. Bird; third. Air R. Lee; fourth, Air I?. AYillis; wireless operator, Air T. J. Bateson ; chief steward, Atr J. Dunn. A cable message received this afternoon gave additional particulars in regard to the loss of the steamer. It is stated that the vessel was empty, and when a strong wind sprang up last Monday an effort was made to steam to an offing. The vessel was driven inshore, and went bard and fast on the reel. The crew stood by until yesterday. when as a result of the pounding that, the bull was getting, water began to enter the engine-room and holds. The crew then abandoned the vessel. South-westerly winds have been .so strong in tin’s region lately that loading operations have been frequently held up at Nauru or Pleasant Island, which is only about a day’s steam away from Ocean Island. Tt, is a common thing for these islands to be troubled by rough weather at this line of tbo year. Voscls are moored to buoys off tbo reef, and cannot ride safely at anchor when a wind springs up. The ship then has to get. under way and stand out to sea.