The Mapourika Ashore.

Manawatu Herald, 4 October 1898, Page 2

The Mapourika Ashore.

The Union Company's splendid steamship Mapourika went ashore after crossing the Grey month bar at t a.m. on Saturday. The Mapourika left Weafcport ibout 8 p.m , and arrived off Greymouth shortly afcer midnight, and proceeded to take the bar. The vessel was coming on at half speed, and when opposite the tip bead she was struck by an immense

blind roller, her stern going com* pletely oat of the water and her screw revolving in the air, carrying the vessel along on the top of the wave. She refused to answer her helm, and was taken bodily over to* wards the north tip-head, which she struck heavily. Captain McLean, finding it—impossible to clear the wall, gave^be order " Full speed astern,", thereby preventing his vessel from going on the river side of the wall and be* coraiDg a total wreck. The effect of this order was to carry the Mapoarika uorth of the training wall and throw her up on the beach, her stem further in towards land, and about 200fc from the beach and stori facing, her bow remaining ojose 4$ to the rocks, in this position she remained.

At fittfc there was a little alarm among the passengers, bat this was speddi'y allayed by Captain McLean and the officers, who soon convinced alt that there was no danger to be app rt handed.

Immediately Upon the vessel be* coming filed on (he hard, hawsbn worn ran out and connected with the piles on the tip-head, thereby keeping her from canting over, The boats were lowered, and the passengers all safely landed, the mails being sent ashore shortly afterward?, and no damage being done co either mails or cargo.

The damage to. the ship, to far aa at present has been ascertained, con Biß ts of a couple of holes near the bow and the twisting of the stem almost in a similar manner to that which befell the Wainui when she struck the Beef Barrel rocks, French Pass. '" ■•' : ■"•' " '■••■■-'

A considerable quantity of water is in the lower portion of the vessel.