THE EXTINCT MOA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1914, Page 5

THE EXTINCT MOA.

FLAMES LEAPED MAST HIGH.

[Per Press Association.] Wanganui, February 3

So far as can he ascertained, the hulk of the Moa is still floating off the beach to the south of the entrance.

During the whole day large volumes of smoke were emitted together with flames which leaped mast high. There was a magnificent spectacle about eight o’clock, when a terrific explosion took place, apparently amidships. This was followed hy a wonderfully brilliant crimson light, which lit up the sha and land for miles around.

This was, apparently, the grand finale, for the flames seemed to die out shortly afterwards and absolutely disappear at ten o’clock.

ABSOLUTELY NO TRACE,

THE PILOT’S OPINION.

Wanganui, February 4

The Moa, still burning, drifted about a couple of miles seaward last evening till 7.30, when there was another terrific explosion. The flames continued for a while, but soon began to subside and died out, and by this morning there is no trace of her.

Pilot Captain Mclntyre is of opinion the hull sank about two miles south east of the harbor entrance and a similar distance off shore in a locality where the chart shown between sixty and seventy feet of water. He thinks that if still afloat she would still be in sight of the pilot station, and if his surmise is correct and the steamer has gone to the bottom, she will not be any danger to navigation.