The Stranded Steamer.

Patea Mail, 17 April 1882, Page 2

The Stranded Steamer.

The damage to the Patea steamer, stranded near the north head, is now so serious that she cannot be got off by the easy plan already tried, that of hauling in a rope fixed to anchors off the shore. Another effort of this kind was made at high tide on Sunday morning, many spectators being on the cliff, it was found that the hull had, bumped so much during Saturday’s evening tide, that a projecting rock at the end of the ciiff had knocked through the bottom near the bow, making a very large hole through which the water filled the hull

at high water. Captain Bendall directed the operations yesterday morning. The tide rose higher than was expected, and the breakers dashed over the stranded steamer with great force, drenching those on board who were - working the winch. As the hull was completely waterlogged, the only expectation was that the position might be improved by hauling her away from the rocky end of the cliff. The hawser was tightened hard, but the steamer would not move. Repeated efforts proved useless, and the hawser plan had to be abandoned as a failure.

The Wakatn steamer sailed from the river during the operations, bnt did not go ont of her course to act as a tug. It was really too late to do so. If the Wakatn could have been used as a tug two or three tides earlier, when the Patca’s hull was sound, and the sea calm enough to be safe, the plan of towing her off might have been a cheap success. . .- . The steamer lay in a safe position'at first, on a soft bottom under the north head, and well away from the cliff. The tide rose higher each day after she stranded; and the stern having been pulled more seaward by anchors fixed in the sand, to give play to the screw propellers, the expectation was that the next tide or two would lift her bow out of the mnd-bed, and the screws could draw her seaward stem first, or another steamer could tow her with a very long line. But (his calculation was soon spoilt, for the increasing wash of the higher tides lifted and bumped the stern more than before, the.effect, being that, the stern was drifted south-J ward until it lodged against a separate “ needle ” or rock lying a little off the cliff end. This. change of position) brought the, bow hard, against the cliffend, and the stern against the separate rock, with a blank space between. The rock bumped through the plates amidships, and the hull is now a wreck. Captain Beudall has applied to the Harbor Board (meeting this afternoon) for permission to cut away the separate rock against which the stern lies. The idea seems to be that if the stern can drift farther inland, the bow would point to seaward, and the hull might be lifted, for repair, and Then launched into the surf at high water. This would involve some expense, and the result is doubtful until tried. . The directors of the Patea S.S. Company met this -morning to consider what action to take for the salvage of the steamer. Probably half the expense of any operations will, have to be borne by the company, and half by the underwriters. .. OFFICIAL INQUIRY. i A Court of Inquiry will' sit on Wednesday, at Patea,-to take evidence as to the cause of stranding of the Patea steamer, and to record a decision thereon. APPLICATION to HARBOR BOARD/ At the Harbor .Board's meeting this afternoon, an application from the Patea S.S. Co. was received, asking pennis- : sion to remove the separate rock against' which the steamer’s stern is lying; and suggesting also that a public meeting should be called do, obtain assistance for improving the Patea river. The. Pilot informed the Board that it will be an advantage rather than otherwise to remove the separate rock. The Board then inspected Sir John

Goode’s plan of river improvements, and his proposed lines. SALE OP WRECK. Mi Cowern is instructed by the underwriters to sell by auction the hull, machinery, and fittings, on Wednesday.