STRANDING OF THE PENGUIN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2705, 19 November 1881, Page 2

STRANDING OF THE PENGUIN.

[By Telegraph.]. Picton, Nov. 19. The s.s. Penguin arrived at midnight, having got off without sustaining any damage whatever. She sailed for Wellington and south at 1 a.m. Nelson, Nov. 19. The s.s, Wallace arrived in harbor at midnight, and reports that the Penguin got off at French Pass about 6.30 p.m. The Wallace arrived in the French Pass at about 4 o’clock, and endeavored to render assistance to the Penguin, but could not get near her till the afternoon. At about 5 o’clock she took the passengers from the, steamer, and the hawsers were got out and the Wallace attempted to tow her off, but after mooring her about forty feet the hawzer snapped and the Wallace could do no more. The Penguin was, however, in a better position, and shortly after G she appeared to he floating, and shortly after that she went right off the reef. It was found that she was uninjured, and the Wallace then returned the passengers to the Penguin, which vessel proceeded on to Picton. The passengers were much alarmed and this feeling was increased on finding that neither the Hawea which came through the Pass on Friday morning, nor the Wallace could get near enough to take them off. At low tide the ship’s stern was high out of the water, and some thought she would not get off at all. They were therefore greatly rejoiced when she went over the reef all right. No particulars are given as to the cause of the accident, but a passenger stated that Captain Malcolm was only called just as the ship got to the beacon. She evidently went on the wrong side of the channel. It is stated that the becon recently erected has had the effect of diverting the current and has added considerably to the difficulty of navagiting the Pass.

Wellington, Nov. 19. The Penguin arrived at 9.15 this morning, and is now going round to go on the patent slip. Captain Malcolm’s account of the accident is as follows : Left Nelson at 5 p.m. on the 17th for Wellington via Picton. On approaching French Pass, the night being very dark rendered it very difficult to pick up the beacon, and when he did. he found he was to the northward of it, and the only chance was to take the middle channel, which he attempted to do, but missed it by about ten feet. He did not deem it advisable to reverse the engines, because by doing so the vessel would have gone broadside on to the reef. The vessel struck at 8.25 p.m., and remained fast till 6 p.m. last night, when she floated off without injury, and proceeded on her voyage.