MISHAP TO THE PENGUIN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 73, 26 March 1881, Page 2

MISHAP TO THE PENGUIN.

Wellington, Saturday.. The steamer Penguin ran ashore in Tory Channel yesterday. She left Picton for Wellington early in the morning, and during a dense fog the amhap occurred. It ig not known yet if the vessel ia damaged. The Hinecuoa left here at midnight to render her any necessary assistance. •; • ' Blbhhbim, Saturday, j The Penguin left Picton for Wellington on Friday morning at 3 o'clock, the weather being bright and clear when the steamer left. After steaming down the Sound about six miles, land showed a few yards ahead. The engines were immediately reversed full speed astern, which checked the steamer, but she ran on to the beach, the steering gear being carried away at the same time. There was ho noise or confusion, and the bump could not have been heavy, as many of the passengers thought on waking that the boat had arrived at the Wellington wharf and that the engines were being stopped. It was high water whf n the steamer went ashore. Great efforts-ware made to float her yesterday, but to no purpose. The steamer Torea, which left for the Grove, Torea Bay, and Watamunga yesterday morning early, saw the Penguin on the beach, and the Captain at once directed his course to the scene, and was soon alongside. Captain Miller enquired if he could render any assistance, but Captain Malcolm said he did not require any, expecting to float the boat with the next tide. In the afternoon the Torea offered to take any despatches to Picton direct, and then proceeded to the Grove, and from thence back to Watamunga and before proceeding to Picton the little steamer again went to the Penguin. Captain Malcolm asked them to take a line and try to tow her off/ it being then about high water, but owing to the strong southeast wind blowing she was unable for some little time to receive the line, but at last one was thrown aboard, ijii after tugging at it

for some time in vain the line broke. Captain Malcolm wished them to take another pull, but owing to there being something wrong with her pump the Torea could not take the line. The beach where the Penguin went .. ashore is composed of loose gravel and sand, bo tbat no damage can possibly be done to tbe steamer. There are about twelve fathoms of water amidships, so that only her Btem is aground. All the cargo was shifted astern yesterday and about 40 tons of water were pumped into her, but even then she did not move. The purser states that there was a dense fofe at the time of the accident. The steamer; r was expected to float early this morning, Pioton, Saturday. The Itfbemoa arrived at seven o'clock this morning too, late for tbe tide. She tugged at the Penguin for an hour but without success. Another try will be made at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Captains Malcolm and Fairchild ane both Very sanguine of getting her off. The Penguin got eff at 1.30 to-day. She sustained no damage whatever, audwill bo in Wellicgton about 6.30.