TONGARIRO ASHORE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 28, 31 August 1916, Page 5

TONGARIRO ASHORE.

NEAR MAHIA PENINSULA. VESSEL REPORTED IN A BAD WAY. Per Pr&bS Association. Gisborne, August 'SO. The Now Zealand Shipping Company's Toiigariro went ashore on Hell Hock, Portland Island, midway between Gisborne and Napier. The Toiigariro was on route from Auckland to Wellington, Auckland having been her first port of call in New Zealand. The vessel passed the East Cape going south at 10.20 this morning, and would be off Portland island between," and .8 o'clock tonight. The first distress wireless call was picked up by the Westralia in Gishorne roadstead shortly before 8 o'clock and messages continued until POO p.m., when one came through "power failing." Five minutes later another stated "not off yet" but after that messages ceased. The Westralia at once ceased cargo operations and hurried south, first. signalling to the steamer Calm, which was also about to leave for Napier, to keep close to shore, ami be of any assistance possible Both vessels were raising south at full speed within half-an-hour of receiving the distress call. The Arahura from Napier should reach the scone of the mishap about midnight or shortly after. The Westralia took most of her passengers and cargo for Napier, but about 30 passengers, including the Allan Wilkie Shakespeare Company and Victor Grayson, the English Socialist, were left behind.

VESSEL SINKING RAPIDLY. Napier, August 30. A telephone message from Wairoa police .station stated that the Tongariro is sinking rapidly. Bell Rock is about two hours' steam from Napier for ocean-going steamers. AT THE SCENE OF THE WRECK. ALL HANDS SAFE. THREE HOLDS FLOODED. PARTICULARS OF MISHAP UNKNOWN. Gisborne, August 30. I ' The Arahura reports reaching the scene at 12.15. Then the Koutoumii came near with Captain Makepease. and the officers and six of the crew ni' the Tougariro aboard. Tlie captain reported that N'os. I. '2, and 'A holds and the ongine-vooni were Hooded, the steamer being on a

"bull" rock forward, and having a sounding of 25 fathoms alt. The Koutounui standing by the Tongariro, uud tin re was no need for the Arahura's assistance. The Wjostralia had arrived at H o'clock and took aboard the rest of the crew from the Koutounui and proceeded to Napier. | The Calm also had arrived, and her services not being required, .she proceeded on her voyage, leaving about the same time a s the Westralia. i No particular-, were gained as to j how the mishap occurred. It is feared the vessel may .slip oh ithe rock and become a total loss. ! from the Arahnra, the outline of the bull was observed. The Koutounui must have been in the locality at the time of the mishap. The weather was fine and the sea calm. The Koutounui when seen by V' - Arahura had two empty life-boats in tow.

THE POSITION AT I.CO THIS MORNING. Napier, August 31. The Westralia brought the Tongariro's third officer and all (seventyfive) of the crew, including the stewardess, who was the only women on board. The Westralia left the Tongariro at 1.30 this morning, and her decks were then above water. The crew got away only in what they stood up in. No one was drowned. Captain Makepeace and the first officer (Mr P. J. Ballard), second officer (Mr J. B. Davis) are standing by the vessel. VESSEL'S DOMINION CARGO. 7700 TONS FOR THREE PORTS. Wellington, August 31. The Tongariro had on board 3800 tons of cargo for Wellington. 2400 for Lyttelton, and 1500 for Dunedin. STEAMERS TO THE RESCUE. WRECKED VESSEL HEAVILY LISTED TO PORT. EXPERIENCES OF THE WRECKED MARINERS. NO PANIC ON BOARD. ■. ! ■ i :-.; CRUEL ROCKS STOP VESSEL DEAD. CAPTAIN ON THE BRIDGE AT FATEFUL MOMENT. Napier, August 31.

The J 'S.O.S." call was responded to by the Westralia at Gisborne'and by the Arahura at Napier, and both vessels left immediately Jfor the scene. The Westralia arrived first and found all the members of the crew on the Kotunui, a coaster owned by Meßsrs .Richardson and Co. The Westralia itook 78 on board for Napier. The captain, first and second officers, the first, second, rfnd third engineers, and six members of the crew are standing by for examination by daylight. | When the Westralia left the ye|sel, jthe Tongariro was still afloat, her,-bow being supported by a bull rocK. ; Whe j water was in all the holds and tile, engine room, and the vessel had n heavy list to port, with 26 fathoms -of water under her stern. | Seas were breaking over the bow, and it was expected that the vessel [will slip off and sink. * There was no panic. The port boats only could be used. One was smashed, and five men were thrown into the sea. Another eaptsized through the davit breaking, but the, .occupants Uvei-c all rescued. ! The shock was very severe, and brought the vessel to a dead stop 'with a terrific noise. ' • j The scene of the wreck is 5£ miles 'north-north-east of Portland Light. j Some of the men received minor 'injuries, but there were no* serious I casualties. I A member of the crew said the captain was on the bridge at the time. I The crew were in the boats for three hours, and returned to the 'doomed vessel three times in case 'anyone had been left .behind. j It is stated that the cargo totals 'BOOO tons, and includes £150.000 in , bullion. | Salvage operations can be success'fully conducted even if the vessel ■sinks.