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Manawatu Herald, 13 September 1894, Page 3

Further details by way of Noumea show that the Ringarooma went ashore at 3 a.m. on 31st August. The accident is attributed to variation of compasses, and the effect of a current of abnormal force, the course of which is indicated on the charts three miles outside its real position. The Ringarooma was steaming nine knots an hour at the time. The vessel is now standing almost on end, and is dry up to the forward funnel at low water. The outer bottom is gone, but the inner is still intact. She has been lightened by jettisoning 300 tons of coal and prejectiles on to the reef. The officers have succeeded in shifting the ship six feet by kedging. When H.M.S. Dart left the scene, the wind was in a favourable quarter, and if the inner bottom holds and the weather keeps fine she may be floated off, as the retf is believed to be soft. Previous to the disaster, three of the crew were drowned while bathing. — Press Association.