THICK FOG AT SEA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 47, 31 January 1916, Page 8

THICK FOG AT SEA.

TWO STEAMERS TOUCH GROUND. STEAMER KAITOA ON TERAWHITI. Per Press Association. Wellington, January 31. The Anchor steamer Kaitoa was stranded on Cape Terawhiti last evening during a thick fog. She wp.s bound from Nelson to Wellington, and had about eighty passengers, including a number of soldiers returning from leave. All were landed without any casualty. The vessel is stated to be • fast aground, but is not making water. Mounted police have been dispat:med to the scene, which is difficult of access, and aid has also been sent from McMenamin's station, to which the passengers were walking. The tug Terawhiti goes to the scene early this morning if the fog lifts, and cars will be sent overland. The sea was smooth when the vessel grounded. KAITOA IN PORT. Wellington, January 31. The Kaitoa wag refloated in an hour and a-half, and later some 20 passengers, including the women, were taken on board again, but the fog came up thicker' than ever; and the Kaitoa is now standing by waiting an opportunity to enter port. Later. Fog lifted and enabled the Kaitoa to get to Wellington soon after 11 o'clock. The passengers state that there was no panic. The vessel grounded 150 yards from Rocky Beach. Two boats were quickly launched, and the pas--sengers were soon landed. Big fires were lighted on the beach, and biscuits, fruit, and hot coffee were served out by the stewards. Blankets wer© sent ashore, and) the women passed the night tinder ' tarpaulin shelter. S The Kaitoa floated off about an hour ) after grounding. Some passengers returned " n board, and others were brought into town by motor cars. The passengers were surprised on reaching the beach last evening to find the sun shining brightly over the top of the mountain while the steamer was hidden in a fog. The sea was quite calm. A COLLIER ASHORE. THE KOMATAS EXPERIENCE. Wellington, January 31. The Union S.S. Company's collier Komata, bound from Westport to Wellington, went a.shore in the vicinity of Pencarrow Heads. She is reported to be partly refloated. The tug Terawhiti has gone to her assistance. At 9 o'clock the fog was still vei;v thick, and several vessels were unable to make port. ALL PRECAUTIONS TAKEN. JETTISONING THE CARGO. i EVERY HOPE OF SALVAGE. The Komata, which has 2-100 tons of coal aboard, left Westport at 5 o'clock yesterday morning and was due at Wellington at daybreak to-day. About midnight the steamer ran into a thick fog. Captain Carey slowed the engines and had frequent soundings made, but about 5 o'clock she bumped heavily and stuck fast. The engines were reversed, but the vessel would not move,.

The tug Terawhiti was sent down to the Heads at 7 o'clock and was able to get alongside the Komata, which is lying on a sandy bottom and making little water.

The cargo is being jettisoned, and as the weather ha;i continued calm it is hoped to get "her off before long: The Arahura is assisting in the salvage work.