WRECK OF THE S.S. HIMATANGI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1859, 1 August 1918, Page 3

WRECK OF THE S.S. HIMATANGI.

In our laM issue wo chronicled the wreck of the well-known const til steamer Himatangi, at the Chatham Islands, The vessel for many years traded in and out'of this port. She was built at' Paisley, Scotland, in 1888 for Levin and Co., Ltd., W ellinglon, under the personal supervision of Mr \V. Signal (of Cox ton), that company’s engineer, by J. Fullerton and Co. Captain Fraser, formerly of Wellington, afterwards master of the Government steamer Janie Seddon, brought the Himitangi out to Wellington, Mr Signal accompanying the vessel as ehief engineer. The Himalangi was a steel single screw vessel of 323 tons gross, and 149 tons net, of the following dimensions: —Length, 130 feet; beam, 24 feet 1 inch; depth, 9 feet. Her engines wei’e manufactured by Muir and Houston, Ltd., Glasgow. She was fitted with electric light, and was considered one of the most up-to-date vessels on the eoast. There was accommodation for about 20 passengers. After being purchased from Levin and Co., in May, 1911, by the Chatham Islands I’ishing Company, she was fitted with a refrigerated hold. The Himitangi had a cargo-carrying capacity of about 250 tons. On her arrival in New Zealand, Levin and Co. ran the Himitangi between Wanganui and Foxton with cattle to Westport and Greymouth, from which ports she returned with coal. The vessel occasionally assisted the Queen of the South in tho Wellington-Foxton cargo service, and at times worked the coastal stations. She was for some years under command of Captain Manley. Captain Harvey, now master of the Queen of the South, also had charge of the Himitangi for a couple, of years. The Himitangi had already experienced some adventures in the Chatham Islands service. In 1912 she drifted ashore one night while lying off Waitangi, through the anchor cable parting, and piled up on the beach. The steamer Gertie was dispatched from Wellington to ascertain what had become of the Himitangi. A line was got ashore to the stranded vessel, and after she had been ashore for nearly two months she came off rather easily on high water little the worse for her experience. The Gertie assisted her hack to Wellington, and she was soon in commission again. On a subsequent occasion the Himitangi struck a rock at the Chatham Islands, and severely damaged her propeller, hut she was abb* to return lo Wellington unaided. The Chatham Islands lie 422 miles to tin* south-easi ward of Wellington. The Himitangi generally made (he passage from Wellingt'ui lo Waitangi in fifty-three hours, and the run from Lyttelton occupied aboil! sixty hours. The dial hams consist of two principal islands and several unimportant islets. The iavgesi island contains about 222,490 acres, of which an irregnlarshaped lagoon absorbs 45,900 acres, Fill Island, the next in size, has an aiea ot I;>,.).)0 acres. The greater portion of both islands is used for glazing sheep, hut (he (‘reel ion a lew years ago of (ish freezing works b.\ Mi 1 McLean, ol Wellington, and Ihe Chatham Islands Fishing Company. at Owenga and Kaingaroa, gave a fillip to the train- of (fie islands. The principal (ish caught a! the Chalhams are bine cod, and a steady supply has been obtainable throughout each year. I lie Himiiangi conveying (he fish |o Wellington, Monan Reef, Waitangi West, where (lie Himitangi has come to griel. is on (he north-west end of the larger Chatham.