Accident to the s.s. Rothesay.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 369, 17 July 1908, Page 2

Accident to the s.s. Rothesay.

i BREAKS HER CRANKSHAFT. AN ANXIOUS TIME. There was a flutter of excitement in Kawhia on Monday, when it was reported that the s.s, Rothesay, which boat had left Kawhia that morning for Marokopa with a fall cargo, whs lying in the boat channel in a disabled state owing to the crankshaft having broken. Word was sent to Mr Morgan (who had his launch at Oparau) and Mr Newton (who was making a trip to Kin ■»- h-iku) to meet at Te Maika to go and make an attempt to tow the disabled steamer in. About 2 p.m. a very h -ary blow cams up from the south, and although the laun -hes started for Te Maika it was fearod that it would be a matter of impossibility for them to venture outside. Great satisfaction waa felt by all when on turning Lsithardt’e Point the Rothesay was seen sailing up the harbour. On going aboard it was learned that the ateamer broke down about two miles past Albatross Point, the break oocuring without any reason, there being no racing of the engine, the sea being smooth. Examination of tue pvrt, however, showed chat there WAB a flaw—in fact it is marvellous how the shift has stood so long. The cargo was turned over, and a large tarpaulin secure ! which was rigged up as a sail. The boat channel was reached about 8.30 a m , where the anchor was cast, rockets be uj firel, y-hich, peculiarly, weri no*; heard by the pjop’.e at Te Maik i. Seamen Birg and L yland starte I to go ashire in th • boat, and managed to do s but not before they ware cspsia id iu the surf. Word was then aent on to Kawhi t. shortly after the sailors left the boat a very h-avy blow came on, the r a becoming so rough that the anchor could not be lifted, and it was only with great difficulty that the chain was cut, A cou-ee was than steered for the heads, which were safely entered, It was indeed a narro v escape, as had the wind been in any other dirveti »n, we fear that another ma->ne disaster wou! i have io be recorde i. Captiin Roberta and Euijiuaor Pieri both ha! an anxiou* tint ■, and it it is entirely due to the skill displavod by the first-named that the Rothesay ever reached Kawhia. However, ’’alls welF that ends well,” and our congratulations are offered to the captain upon the able manner in which he handled the disabled steamer. The Rothesay is now anchored in thstream awaiting tbe arrival of a new crank shaft fwn Auckland. M