THE KAIRAKI FOUNDERED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 35, 28 September 1914, Page 4

THE KAIRAKI FOUNDERED.

ALL HANDS LOST AT POINT ELIZABETH. [Feb Press Association.] /* Greymouth, September 26. Further search indicates that the worst fears with regard to the Kairaki are realised. It is surmised that either through rough weather or accident the ship was driven on the rocks near Point Elizabeth and has totally disappeared. She had a crew of sixteen aboard, including: First mate, I). McIntyre ; second mate, S. Trice; first engineer, W. Arnold; second engineer. Harold Gittos (Greymouth), third engineer, T. Noble (Greymouth).

SEVEN-MILE BEACH STREWN With WRECKAGE.

Greymouth, September 27

The coast from Point Elizabeth to •the north, of Barrytown is strewn with wreckage, consisting of chaff, butter, deck fittings. A couple of lifebuoys marked “s.s. Kairaki, Lyttelton,’’ have been washed ashore.

All .day long motor-cars have been running out to the vicinity where the wreck is supposed to have taken| place. . Several captains of vessels in port went to Seven-mile this morning. On their return they were interviewed by a reporter. They expressed the belief that the vessel had struck on the rocks at Point Elizabeth. This was indicated by the lifebuoys, deck fittings and other light objects coming ashore there, heavier articles carried by the northerly sea coming ashore further north.

The heavy sea running on the Grey bar makes it impossible for a tug to go out and make a search. The harbourmaster expressed tho opinion that the bar tyill be unworkable until to-morrow afternoon at the earliest, the very high sea all along the coast would break the Kairaki up within a few hours. The Kairaki has been unfortunate. Lately she had been barbound in Hokitika for three weeks, after being nearly wrecked on the bar.

H. Gittos, the t second engineer, and T. Noble, the third engineer, are both local men. A youth named Mariott Mylroi was on board making a pleasure trip with his friend Noble. Captains of vessels express the opinion that the mishap was due to a breakdown in the engines. The Kairaki was a twin-screw steamer, with powerful engines for her size, which enabled her to make the trip when other vessels were obliged to shelter. There have been many wrecks on hie West Coast within recent years, bat the Kairaki is the firsfc to be attended with loss o;f life, f , - ; , Word has just been received that articles consigned to the Rev. Monaghan, and known to be aboard, were washed ashore at Barrytown. Wellington, September 27. The Secretary of the Post Office is advised to-day from Greymouth that it is now certain that the Kairaki has foundered.

LIST OF THE CREW.

Wellintgon, September 28,

In addition to the list of the crew of the Kairaki sent out from Greymouth, the following \yere also on

hoard:—

Second mate, Kundsen, who signed on at Wellington in place of A. Trice. A.B.’s., F. Johnson, T. Smith, E. Hedges, W. Hollis. Ordinary seamen, Cyril Johnson. Firemen, A. Taylor, W. Garratt, I. Hypue. Cook, J. L. Collingwood. Steward, W. Garratt (son of the fireman).