THE WAKATU ASHORE.

Patea Mail, 11 September 1882, Page 3

THE WAKATU ASHORE.

Another unfortunate mishap has occurred to the steamer Wakatu, though it may prove not to be serious. She was entering the river on Sunday’s morning tide, and the channel being at present out of the usual course, the steamer had to run with broadside against the strong wash from the northwest. She got tilted out of the narrow channel, and having once grounded, she got washed higher up behind the breakwater, not far from the “ bones ” of the old Egmont. The prevalance of gales from northwest, as usual in early spring, has driven the channel from of the straight outward course, until now the channel is really difficult to navigate in an ordinary breeze. The outward scour of the river is driven southward, rounding the wallend rather sharply, and running diagonally off to south-east. Captain Bonner was steering the steamer in by the pilot’s signals, on a spring tide, when somehow the side of the channel was struck, near the breakwater, and to avoid being washed against the wall-end, the Captain put the engines full speed astern, just escaping the wall as the steamer shot past. This drove her aground behind the wall, and she soon washed higher up There were nine passengers on board, who landed when the tide went down. The steamer was fully laden, having left some surplus freight at Wellington. The wind was blowing in strong gusts from north-north-west. It does not seem safe to load so fully in the present state of the channel, and probably it is to this cause partly that, the mishap is due. The steamer is fully insured. When the morning tide went down on Sunday, the steamer lay high and dry. A crowd, of people went to see her. Drays were got to work, and most of the cargo was taken out and placed in a safe position, covered with tarpaulins. Anchors were got out, and during this morning’s tide the steamer was hauled seaward lengths, and also nearer to the wall. Having improved her position to this extent, and being very lively at full tide, she may get afloat on the next tide. It is reported that the channel had shifted within the last two or three days, and that the signals were hardly in proper line. This will be ascertained in the inquiry which Mr London is expected to hold.