ATTEMPTS TO GET HER OFF PROVE UNSUCCESSFUL. The Situation More Critical Than Ever.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 28, 15 December 1883, Page 4

ATTEMPTS TO GET HER OFF PROVE UNSUCCESSFUL. The Situation More Critical Than Ever.

December 3. When it was arranged on Saturday afternoon that a further attempt should be made to tow the Triumph off on the following morning, I concluded that it would be advisable to accompany the relieving forces, .and thus be in a position to describe the proceedings for the information of the readers of the Star. Three o'clock on Sunday morning was the hour fixed upon for ■departure from the Queen-street Wharf, •and midnight of Saturday found me snugly •ensconced in a berth on the Glenelg, courtteously provided by Steward McLeod, and wholly indifferent to the rain, which was falling in torrents outside. Before turning in I learned that the steamers chartered for the attempt were the Waitaki, Glenelg, lona, and Argyle, the latter boat having remained alongside the Triumph all night, awaiting orders and being ready to afford assistance in the event of any emergency arising.i ng.

No Axes on Board. Sleep overcame my jaded senses, but I had scarcely been half-an-hour under the influence of the " balmy " when my repose was disturbed by voices in the saloon, and it was quite evident from the tone that the subject under discussion was one of grave importance. I could not prevent myself from overhearing the conversation, and as its substance was of general interest to those on board,there will be no breach of confidence in repeating it. At the very last moment it had been discovered that there were no axes on board. A case of good broad-bladed hatchets had been ordered, but they were not to hand. For some time I could not understand why the absence of axes should cause so much excitement, but it subsequently transpired that they were required to cut the hawsers after the Triumph was hauled off, if she were to attompt to sink hastily. Anathematising the interrupters of my peaceful slumbers, I mentally suggested that there would be time enough to cut the hawsers when the Triumph was got off. The anxiety of those on board was at last relieved by the news that the axes were on board the Waitaki.

The Start. Exactly nt three o'clock I was again awakened by the movement of the engines, and I very correctly surmised that we were ofF. Ko whistle was sounded, but the nasal organ of the occupant of an adjoining cabin proved itself a most effective foghorn. Further sleep -was impossible, and at daybreak I went on deck, where I found various persons bound upon the same journey as myself. The steamer was then well outside Kangitoto, and in therear we could see the Waitaki, while following her again was the lona. On the previous night the wind was from the northward, but it was now blowing a gentle westerly, while the sky i gave a very lively prospect of a good solid I downpour of rain during the morning. The Triumph could be seen in ,the distance, in exactly the same position as she occupied on Saturday, while it was evident that the weather of the previous night had not prejudicially affected her. # The Argyle was under the lee of Tiritiri, and when we hove in sight, she weighed anchor and steamed in the direction of the Triumph.

The Steamer's Position. While we were steaming in the direction of the stranded vessel, the conversation on board turned on the query how she could possibly have got into the position which she occupies. It has already been said that she had no business where she is, but a better idea of the real extent of the deviation can be conveyed to the mind of the ; reader. The fairway at this point is about twelve miles in width, Tiritiri being on one side, and Otatau and Rakino Island on the other. A direct course would have taken the Triumph within about two miles of Otatau, or actually about ten miles distant from the rocks abreast of which she struck. Even had she kept in the middle of the Channel, she would have been about six miles from Otatau on the one side, and six miles from Tiritiri on the other. From this it will be seen that she should not have been on the Tuitiri side at all, but over in the Otatau direction. The explanation of Captain Brotherton is, as we have previously said, that he wanted to make for Tiritiri, and thence across to Cape Colville, which course is anything but a direct one.

Arrival at the Scene. We reached the neighbourhood of the stranded vessel soon after 5 o'clock, and * boat was lowered to take Mr L. D. Nathan, who had come with us, and several others, on board. On our way across to the Triumph we met the Argyle, and took in Captains Worsp and Clayton, who had been on her during the night. When we reached the Triumph, work had just been recommenced, and everything was hurry and bustle, the air resounding with the noise of winches and the hammering of shipwrights' tools. There were still a couple of hours to spare before the attempt would be made, and I employed the interval in watching the operations which were proceeding. Cargo of a heavy description was still coming out of the middle hatch, while chain cable and coal were being shifted aft as speedily as could be done, The Lizette and Zillah were alongside taking in the cargo, the Vizuer and Four Sisters having already taken away full loads.

Examination by Surveyors. In the course of conversation I learned that an examination of the outside had been made by Captains Worsp and Clayton, who, I may add, are acting for the underwriters and the master of the vessel. The water was clear, and they could see the rock running out under the foremast. They had no opportunity to make an inspection from the inside, but their opinion is pretty conclusive. They believe that the bottom of the vessel in this particular place is "all to pieces," although the weight of three hundred tons of railway iron over it serves to bind it together just now. It is quite certain that either the vessel's bottom has been forced upwards by the crash, or that it has burst altogether. The latter view is favoured by the fact that she remains so firmly fixed, and if it is the correct one, then it is apparent that the ship can only be towed off by tearing the plates clean out of her, precaution being previously made to have the fore compartment staunchly shored and the adjoining ones made water-tight.

No Diver Down. I observed a diving dress and suit on the ketch alongside, and naturally inquired if a diver had been down. The answer was in the, negative. It was intended that one should come and make an examination, and with this object the dress was sent down. The diver did not , come, and it subse quently transpired that terms could not be made. It is said that a contract had been made with Captain Haddock to carry out the operations at the rate of £20 per day, but that this was afterwards refused. The general opinion is that a great mis* take has been made in not hay ing a complete examination made before anything was done at all, and there can be but little doubt that any operations would

have had at least more prospect of success if it were known precisely what the damnge is, whether the rocks are through the ship's bottom, and, if so, to what extent they have penetrated.

The Acoident Witnessed from Tirltirl, I was informed during a conversation that tho lighthouse men saw the steamer Iriumph coming in tho direction of Tiritiri shortly before she"strack. They thought at first that it was the Stella with stores, and went towards the cliff. Seeing, however, that it was a much larger ship,' and that she was heading straight tor the rocks, they, called out to warn those on board, but failed to attract their attenI tion. The steamer continued her course, j and went crashing on to the rocks. Hailing the Triumph people, they told them that they had better look out for themselves as the place \yas a most dangerous one, and could see the boats being lowered, but none came ashore. They also advised that rockets be sent up and guns fired with the object of attracting attention in Auckland, and this was done. Had the cable been laid, assistance might have been sent down at once. The work of connecting Auckland and j Tiritiri by wire is now to be commenced without 1 nrther delay.

The Vessel Moves on Saturday Night, After my departure on Saturday, work proceeded until soon after 5 o'clock, when the men knocked off. Seeing the time thej had been constantly engaged, it is only natural to suppose that they were greatly exhausted. Towards 8 o'clock, at high tide, the engines were started full speed astern, and immediately after wards the ship moved up about three feel and then fell with a sharp concussion. 11 was at first thought by those on board thai she had risen o\ or the ledge which is sup posed to be holding her, but this was no* the case. Some alarm was caused soon after midnight by the steamer rising once with the swell and coming down with a sudden bump. Many of the men on board fancied that she was going down, and some of them came running on deck, Theii fears were, however, allayed by finding the ship in exactly the same position, no change having been effected by the motion.

Conversation with the Surgeon. While the preparations for towing off were proceeding, I had a conversation with Dr. Menzies in reference to the withholding of the gratuities which are usually paid to the captain and doctor. The paragraphs published might have led to the inference that there were improprieties between the officers and immigrants, but Dr. Menzies says there were none such, and if there was anything of the kind at all, it was between some of the passengers and the immigrants. There is a strong feeling of sympathy in the ship for Captain Brotherton in his misfortune, and those under him all speak very highly of him. It may be added, en passant, that he lias held a command since he reaohed the age of twenty -two, and at the present time he is considerably under forty years of age. This is said to be the first mishap that has ever occurred to a vessel under his charge.

Preparations on Board. A largo staff of shipwrights were vigorously employed in the forehold from daybreak, and some particulars of the work being done by them should prove interesting. The water having been pumped low,the 'tween hatches of the forehold were put on, and were then firmly fastened and all the crevices caulked. Heavy planks were placed across, and upright beams fixed I between them and the upper deck, and then wedged tightly. This is known to the trade as shoring up. The 'tween deck was fastened in a similar manner, so that it might withstand a great pressure of water, while the bulkheads were also shored up from the middle hold. When this was completed, it was reckoned that if the vessel was hauled off and any number of plates torn out, the water would be confined to the fore compartment. These compartments, however, only extend as far as the 'tween deck, so that it was known that if the hatch should burst or the shoring between prove insufficient to withstand the pressure, the ship would be flooded in a few minutes, and would go down. The Attempt.

Shortly before eight o'clock everything was ready for the start. The Glenelg took a line from the Triumph's bow, while an inch wire rope was carried from her stern to the Waitaki. Another wire rope was taken out from the stern by the lona, but in running it out taut she went full speed ahead, and carried it clean out from its fastenings in the Triumph. The Argyle had been made fact alongside, with her head pointing in the same direction as the large vessel's head. Heavy rain fell just when the order was given to commence operations, but the interest of the spectators was so great that they clustered about the deck watching the proceedings, and wholly indifferent to the wetting which they were getting. The order to start the Triumph's engines was at last given, and simultaneously the lines connecting with the Waitaki and Argyle tightened up. Everyone watched the rocks anxiously, and waited for the ship to move, but there was not the slightest motion apparent beyond the vibration caused by the working of her own ponderous machinery. The tide was very high, and the steamer's stern and head both rose slightly with the tide. The Glenelg had not commenced to tow at this time, those on board being engaged in sending a line to the lona, which was some distance ahead of her. The Glenelg's engines were at last started, and immediately afterwards

The Triumph's Stern Swung Round about five degrees. The lona also got her power to bear, and the four vessels were then hard at it. The ship's head did not, however, move at all, and it was apparent to the most casual observer that the attempt was a failure. Soon afterwards the lona's line parted, and she came round to the Triumph's storn and ran out another, but before it was hauled taut the Glenelg Had also carried avray hers, the Waitaki's line-spring following suit. Delay was caused by both misnaps, but during an interval the engines of the other three vessels were working steadily. After an attempt of something like an hour, the order was given to stop, and the attempt was abandoned.

The Scene from the Glenelg. As viewed from the Glenelg the scene wag of a most intensely interesting character. The prospect of the Triumph being towed off from the first seemed veiy poor, tmt yet the bare possibility of such a piece of good fortune caused all on boaid to pay the utmostattentiontotheprogressofoperations, The Glenelg Was made fast to. the Triumph with a large hawser, and tKe full powek' of her engines having been brought to bear, she tugged away steadily, until suddenly the rope carried away, and she was adrift. At' one time those on bdard raised', a cry that the Triumph 1 was moving, and it did appear that the distance between her bow and the cliff was inoreasing. So much were 1 some impressed wHsh the circumstance that they recommended that everybody should get ready to give three ringing cheers. The delusion, how-,, ever, was speedily dispelled when it wwavs v pointed out that the wind had changed

suddenly, and that tho CUonelg was drifting to leowavd, which movoment- gave riso to the false alarm.

Accident to the Zlllali. At this time the breeze had freshened from tlio westward, and although the ship wns practically sheltered, there was a nasty back wash alongside Soveval ship's boats were in dangov of swamping, and were shifted with considerable difficulty, Tho ketches alongside) were aiso bumping rather heavily. An effort was made to clenv the Zillah, \\hieh was light, but before this could bo done, a portion of hevrail and stanchion enrriod away, and a plank in her port side was stove in. She was even tually got round under tho 100 of the Waitaki.

The Situation. A consultation was then hold by Messrs Clayton and Worsp, Captain Brotherton and Mr Nathan. Tho surveyors vocommended that the remainder of the cargo should be taken out, and that the vessel should be ballasted aft, and that a further attempt by greater power should be made. Tho position after the attempt became a groat deal more serious than before. Captain Burgess was of opinion that the ship should be abandoned to the underwriters, while during conversation the surveyor pointed out that the best courso would be to shoro hor up staunchly, deepen hor *torn more, and by tho' u^e ot groat power, such as that afforded by one of the Union boats, haul her off. This, of courso, would literally toar the bow out of her. It wasalso suggested that dynamite should be used to remove part of tho rock. The action of this explosive i* downward, and the ship could not be more damaged by it than sho is at present. The employment of divers and *he removal of tho railway iron from tho forehold was also &ugge>ted. i

Return of tho Steamers. ThoWaitaki relurnecl to tow nat 1. 13 p.m. yesterday, after a passage of 1 horn- 43 minutes, while the Uleneig, which left Tiritiri an hour later, made the trip up in two hours. The lona had returned some time previous to tho Waitaki. The Argylo came up late last night, having on board Captain Nearing, Mr D. Gouk, and a numbei 1 of men who had been working very hard in tho necessary preparations.