TOTAL LOSS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1932, Page 5

TOTAL LOSS

KAPONGA’S FATE

ON NORTH TIP HEAD.

The Union Coy’s, steamer Kaponga, which became stranded on Friday afternoon at the’ mouth of the Grey river is now a total loss. On Saturday afternoon the Komata attempted to tow the Kaponga up the river, but j faile|| to move her, and with the rising [ tide Uhe i'.l-fated steamer was washed in against the- rocks on the north tip j.head. Yesterday morning the captain [sjjid orew, after, "removing, their per- ! sonal belongings left the ship, which ! was hourly becoming morei dangerous to stay upon. An increasing sea made : matters, worse and yesterday afternoon | as the tide made the seas were dashing over the ill-fated ship and making her condition worse. It was announced yesterday that both the fore and aft bulkheads liad been holed and that the engine room was flooded, and all hope of refloating had been abandoned. The Kaponga was built in 1925 and cost about £35,000. She had 2900 tens of coal aboard.

The tug Terawhiti which left Wellington on Saturday morning for Greymouth, was stopped on her way down and returned to Wellington. There -were large crowd* on the north and south breakwaters at Grey-' mouth on Saturday and Sunday watching operations on the wreck,