STEAMER KAPONGA

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1932, Page 5

STEAMER KAPONGA

STRIKES GREY BAR

STRANDED IN RIVER

GREYMOUTH, May 23

The Union Company's .steamer Kaponga, when sailing outward from Cueymouth yesterday afternoon, struck bottom in the river and became stranded on the inner bar opposite the tS'gmu ot-.ucii. Tne st&amer remained hard and fast and is likely to become a total wreck.

The Kaponga, which is one of the Union fc.-o.- company s newer vessels bunt for tne co;<>ial trade in coal and

timber, was constructed .about yeais -go, ner ton..age being 2345 gros s and 116/ nett, siie be’ng a sister snip of the. Kiwitea ana Karcigi. Her two boilers, situated astern, produce an independent horse power or 1200, the engines bemg of tire trip-e cylinder type, with a single screw. Her fength is feet, and her width 44 feet, her hull being very roohiy, and the five holds giving easy access.

The Kaponga had been bar-bound here for several days during which the tides had gradually decreased, the depth on the bar being 25 feet 9 inches yesterday. The boat, fully loaded with a cargo of two thousand nine hundred tons -of coal, left the wharf yesterday at 3.45 o’clock in the afternoon about half an hour after the steamer Kalingo, • bound with timber for Sydney, had cleared the bar. It was reported that the Kalingo in crossing, touched the bar, but evidently this was not considered serious enough to prevent the Kaponga from setting out. The Kali ngo’s draught was 17 feet 6 inches, whilst that of the Kaponga was 18 feet 6 inches, or just a foot greater. Earlier in the afternoon, at low water, there had been soundings taken at the bar with the tug Westland, Captain Cox and Captain W. H. Gray, Master of the Kaponga being present. There was then a depth of 13 feet recorded, which indicated at high water a depth of 21 ■feet 9 inches. The Kaponga which left so as to reach the bar at the peak of the tide, isailed down the river under a moderate head of steam until she was almost opposite the signal station, when she bumped on what was apparently the inner bar, composed of a sand bank, and stuck fast. Despite all the , efforts of the ■ captain and to free the ship, she remained wedged on the bank and she soon began to swing broadside to the stream.

The tug was then taken down the river and a hawser put aboard in an endeavour to pull the steamer upstream.but this was unsuccessful. At this stage the tide was receding, and the Kaponga was shifting about quite a lot; and it coal'd be seen that every time she was hit by a wave she suffered a considerable shock when let down in the trough. Suddenly a- grinding crash could be heard by the watchers on the south breakwater, who had assembled in 'hundreds, and when the stern rose it could be seen that the rudder had been broken and that the top portion was adrift from the main shaft.

There wa,s a fear that the vessel would swing on to the rocks on the north tip head, but .she remained stuck in the river

Until the Kaponga is shifted out of the fairway, the departure of the vessels at present in port, the Karepo and Komata, may be delayed, whilst it may also be impossible for any boats to enter,

At three o’clock this morning there was 4 feet o{ water in the hold. The chances of salving the Kaponga were eagerly debated last night, it being considered that with the weather favourable, there were more hopelul prospects than when vessels which were lost on Ifche local bar became stranded. It is certain, however, that the hull will have been considerably strained, and with the presence of water in th e ship, and the dangerous proximity of the north tip, a save m this instance wifi be a most remarkable achievement.

It is eight yeai'.s since the last stranding of a steamer on the Grey bar when the Ngahere went on the north tip head and became a total wreck.

A VISIT BY AIR

Th : s morning Mr A. Nancekivell and a passenger iflew to Greymouth to view the Kaponga. The efforts made on the morning tide to move the steamer had nroved unsuccessful, and the steamer lay in the fairway hard and fast, with her bow pointing towards the north tip head. As at present situated the fairway appears to be' blocked, and will prevent any other .shipping movements taking place.

I'UG LEAVES WELLINGTON

( By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELL 1 NGTON. .May 28. The tug, Tcrawhiti, left for Greymouth at 1.45 a.m.