KETCH ELSIE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1930, Page 5

KETCH ELSIE

ASHORE AT HUNTS BEACH.

ALL ABOARD SAFE. The ketch Elsie, which left Hokitika on Wednesday night last for Okuru with a general cargo is ashore at Hunts Beach near Bruoe Bay, and is reported to be badly damaged. The vessel is stated to have had engine'trouble on the way down and hjid been since Thursday drifting under sail. She was off Okarito on Sunday afternoon and after firing a rocket made out to sea going south. Apparently she got in too close to the lafftl and on Monday morning at one o’clock the vessel went on the beach, and Was somewhat badly knocked about; : 5 ‘

Advice was received last night by telephone, '- it being stated that the crew were safe, 1 but that the boat was holed. : ; •

The crew consisted of Messrs A. Ingram (master), G. Montagu (engineer), Hart and Woods. . . i.

The vessel had a cargo of about 20 tons of merchandise of a value of at least £6OO. There was no insurance on the cargo or vessel. . ’ ... -1. The crew have been advised to sal* vage as much of the cargo as possible;. It Is understood that representatives of the: owners, 1 the South Westland. Stip* ping Cbthpany Ltd. are. leaving this afternoon to make a personal inspection with a view,.to salvage operations.

Advice received! tins morning front Bruce Bay. stated that' all the men folk had gone to! the' scene this morning in an. 'endeavour to- salvage tlie cargo. The vessel i*» on Hunt’s Beach, some,! e ix miles north of Bruoe Bay."

Latest advice from the Captain of the i Elsie says that'the ship’s hull is undamaged,.-and there are good prospects, of-salvage. y;