THE WRECK OF THE TAUPO.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5583, 19 February 1879, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE TAUPO.

(PER PRESS ACEXCV.) Taukaxoa, Tuesday. The Taupo, it appear?, ran on a sunken rock off Mount Manngatapu. The middle compartment is full of water, "hut all the cargo has been saved. There is a large hole in the steamer’s bottom, and the engine fires were put out by the water. AH the passenger's luggage has been landed on the Mount. The rook is the same that the Hawea bumped on some time

ago. A passenger on board the Taupo furnisncs the following account of the accident: —“ I was standing on the forecastle with another gentleman as we entered the heads. The vessel seemed to be going rather near the land, which we remarked to ore another, and also that the tide rip appeared very strong. Suddenly the steamer struck violently against a sunken rock, and appeared to lift under our feet. There was then a general lurch, and as I looked towards the helm, which was forward, I saw that the helmsman had let go the wheel. Both the captain aud mate wore on deck at the time. One of them shouted ‘go astern’ —but then, upon its becoming obvious that this course would endanger our lives, oiled ‘ stop her.’ The engine room now began to fill with water, and the mate, who was throughout conspicuous for his readiness and precision, ordered all hands on deck. In an instant his orders were obeyed, aud the boats rapidly lowered. Save for a little excitement amongst the women, the greatest self-control was exhibited by all who were on deck. The others, who were summoned from their cabins, seemed rather alarmed. Some of the ladies had hardly time to dress, and were compelled to go ashore rather fit deshabille. After the women had been carefully lauded, the men, some with their luggage aud some without, followed. The principal danger at this time, owing to the falling tide, was of the ship canting over. The Taupo is about a stone’s throw from the beach at Mount Monganui. Her cargo will be all lauded there to-day.” The Taupo ran on the rook at about 5.40 this morning. The Katikati has gone down to the wreck again with passengers, the company’s agents, reporters, &c. No excuse apparently cau be made for the accident. Men-of-war and vessels of the largest tonnage have come the same way without running on the rocks. The mate (Captain Garrard) behaved splendidly. Most of the ladies were in bed when the vessel struck. It is not yet known what arrangements the Union Company will make about the vessel, and as to forwarding passengers, &c.

The place where the Taupo grounded is Sfconey Point, where the channel, although deepest, is not more than half a cable’s length across, with a sharp turn and a strong tide, which is liable to set a vessel ashore before the helm takes effect.

The following is a list of the Taupo’s passengers;—Mr., Mrs., and Miss Graham, Mr. and 'Mrs. Gibson, Mr, and Mrs. Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. King, Mr. and Mrs. Banks, Mesdamcs Beale, Biliks, and Buchanan, Miss Nodgrass, Messrs. T. If. Hail, Gann, Mahoney, Phillips, Wyllie, Smart, Hargis, ivcs, Mowbray, Clarke, Mahoney, juu., Am.' rstin, Hidden, Moraey, Wade, Sheehan, an i llov. Hr. Ashwell. Captain Cromarty, laic »: the Beautiful Star, who succeeded Captain Andrews, was in command, and Captain Garrard was acting as chief officer. LATER PARTICULARS. The Taupo left Auckland at five yesterday evening; had a good run down the coast, with fine weather. Bntered Tauranga Heads about a quarter to seven this morning against strong ebb tide; when passing Mongauni Hill, within a hundred yards of Stoney Point reef, the vessel struck the ground heavily, and remained hard and fast. The engines at once stopped, and in a few minutes the fires were extinguished by the influx of water into the engine room. Anticipating serious injury to the vessel’s bottom, immediate preparations were made to laud passengers and mails. The boats were quickly lowered, and within twenty minutes every passenger, the mails, and a quantity of luggage were safely placed ashore, whence they were taken to Tauranga by the steamer Katikati. Prom subsequent examination it seems that the vessel has apparently struck the ground immediately under the engine room, which with the middle compartment are flooded to the floors. The other two compartments are dry. Soundings indicate two fathoms water all round the vessel at low tide. She is evidently hanging amidships on a shallow patch, composed of big round boulders. There are strong hopes of the vessel floating off next tide; in the meantime several lighters are busily engaged relieving her of cargo, chiefly coal. The officers and crew are most energetic in their efforts to relieve the vessel from her unfortunate position, and great praise in particular is due to Mr. Garrard, chief officer, for his prompt and unremitting exertions while superintending the loweriugof boats and landing passengers,which was accomplished without confusion. The accident was caused by the vessel’s head suddenly canting shorewards when steaming against a strong tide rip at the most critical point in the channel, and general sympathy is felt for Captain Cromarty under circumstances which are considered purely accidental and unavoidable. The hull is insured in the Dunedin branches of several offices, but advices ol amounts had not been received in Auckland at a late hour. The Union Company has a policy of £IBO on the cargo. The hull is insured in the New Zealand for £IOOO, and this company has also a policy on the cargo. The hull is also insured in the South British, amount believed to be £6OOO, which is half reinsured. The hull is also insured in the Dunedin branch of the National Company, but the amount is unknown. 4.27 p.m.

It is feared that the Taupe whl become a total wreck. There la no sign of her getting off, although the tide is rising. 7.20 p.rn. At high water the tide wa=hed over the Taupo’s deck amidships. Three cutters are down there receiving cargo, which will all be out to-night. It is impossible to say whether she can be got off or not. Captain Cromarty is terribly distressed. The sea is calm, but it is setting in thick from the eastward. The passengers are comfortably settled at the hotels and private houses. The company pays their expenses. It is suggested that the Rowena should take the Haw's passengers on to Auckland. (Telegram to Mb. Grey.) Taurauga, Tuesday, 8.30 p.m. The Taupo would not float at high water. The cargo is still discharging. Another effort will he made next tide. If the weather keeps fine she may be got off, but it is very doubtful. There are several holes in the steamer’s bottom, and she is now full of water. The least swell would probably break her back. The Hawea returns South on Friday. The Napier mails will be sent overland. Those for the South will go by the Hawea.