MISHAP TO THE RUAHINE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 59, 26 October 1914, Page 4

MISHAP TO THE RUAHINE.

SPRUNG A LEAK AND RETURNED

TO PORT.

|Pbs Peisi Association.) Wellington, October 25. A wireless message was received from the steamer Ruahine which left for London yesterday, stating, she had sprung a leak in No. 3 hold, 190 miles away and that she was returning to Port. The Wahine was despatched at ten o’clock at full v speed to her ' assistance. SAFELY BERTHED. Wellington, October 26. The Ruahine and the Wahine arrived in the harbor shortly before 2 o’clock this' morning. The Ruahine, which had a heavy list to port, bad her port boats swung out ready for emergency. On the way back the vessel maintained a speed of 13 knots.

AN ANXIOUS TIME.

UNLOADING OPERATIONS IN PROCRESS. Wellington, October 26., As soon as the Ruahine berthed early this morning unloading operations were commenced and have been “proceeding ..ever since. So far only the cheese in No. 3 hold has been put ashore, many hundred crates being in a moist condition. The ’tween decks is now quite free of water, but water is being pumped out of the lower holds by the, hand-pump in a steady volume. The unshipping of butter has not been started, but as this is frozen, it is hoped that even if the water has reached it, no serious damage will have resulted. v Until more cargo has been put out it is impossible for the surveyors who are aboarcl to ascertain definitely the cause of the unexpected leakage. The accepted theory is that one of the ports for shooting frozen meat into the holds was not properly closed, and sensational rumours which had a brisk circulation yesterday appear to be without foundation. So far the damage appears to he chiefly confined to No. 3 hold and the ’tween 1 decks, but water is also in No. 1 and 2 holds. Enquiries this morning show that there was no semblance of panic yesterday morning when the passengers were informed that the vessel was leaking. The word went round just at breakfast time, when the Ruahine was 47 miles east of Cape Palliser. The boats were swung out in the derricks and the passengers and crew were told off to the boats to which they were allotted. The most sensational part of the curtailed voyage was when the Ruahine was swung roung and headed back for port. She had a serious list to, starboard, which increased perceptibly as she answered the helm and caused a great deal of anxiey. The hatches were opened and some cargo was shifted from No. 3 hold to the after part of the ship, and the water ballast tanks‘were emptied. The result was that gradually she righted herself and then took a list to port. This list is very pronounced as she lies alongside the wharf deep in the water.