THE ILL-FATED VESSEL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 407, 2 October 1889, Page 4

THE ILL-FATED VESSEL.

The Koranui was one of the most useful little traders in the powerful •• redfunnel" line, and had done good servico in tho passenger and cargo traffic on the New Zealand coasb during the tune she yae in the Union S. S Company's service. She was a sister boat to the well-known Mawhera, now trading on the west coast of the South Island, and similar to her in build and appearance, while her engine power was about the same. She was a vessel of 488 tons gross register and 301 net. Her length was 167 feet, beam 25 feot, and depth of hold 14 feet. Her eugiDCf were 75 h.p. She was well-fitted up throughout, and a most comfortable seaboat. The Koranui was built at Paisley in 1883 for Mr W. R. Williams, of Wellington. She came out to the colony in the close of ttfafc year, and was placed by her owner in the VVest Coast coal trade. She did service as a collier until about four years ago, when she was taken over by the Union S. S. Company with the rest of Mr Williams' fleet. Since then the Koranui has been running fceadily on the New Zealand coast, mainly in the coal trade from Westport andGreymouth to the various east coast southern ports, and also occasionally making trips to Auckland and the M^anukau. A little while ago she took up the 3,8. Wanaka's running to the Manukau when thnt vessel was laid up for docking. Captain Hill, who commanded the Koranui, was vrell-known in New Zealand ports, and those in Auckland shipping circles who were acquainted with him express their regret at" his misfortune in losing hia vessel. Lately the Koranui has been trading regularly between Greyaaouth and Wellington via Neleon, and it was while bound to Wellington from the last-named port through .the perilous French Pass that

she struck and went down. The circumstances attending the disaster seem to have beon much the same as those of the wreck of the ill - fated steamer Maitai on the East Coast a few months ago, though fortunately not quite so lamentable in their results, in so iar that no loss of life took place. The steamer Rotorua, which was fortunately close at hand to pick up the Koranui's passenger? and crew was at the time bound to the Manukau from l'icton via Nelson and Wellington. She will most likely take the people on to Wellington. This is the third heavy loss sustained by the Union S.S. Co. within tho last few months, the Fijian and Maitai wrecks having been serious losses.