Arrival of the s.s. Richmond.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 477, 4 June 1890, Page 4

Arrival of the s.s. Richmond.

TOWED INTO PORT. DISABLED NEAR RAROTONGA. A TEDIOUS PASSAGE. In yesterday’s issue we gave particulars of the speaking of the Auckland steamer Richmond, overdue here from the Islands, oft Cape Brett by the s.s. Arawata. We are now triad to chronicle the safe arrival of the disabled vessel in port. The Richmond was safely berthed at her usual tee, the Railway Wharf, about half-past one o’clock this morning, having been picked up outside by the tug Awhina. The steamer, which is from her regular Island ports of call of Samoa, Tahiti, Rarotonga and Tonga, brings several passengers, who have had a somewhat tedious trip up to Auckland, and a large cargo of Island produce, including large shipments of Tahiti oranges, Raroconga col Tee, limejuice, cotton, cocoanuts. etc., and some pearlshell. She had to leave her bananas behind, being unable to take them up from Tonga owing to the lengthy passage expected. PICKED UP OUTSIDE. The tug Awhina, which left here at 1 p.m. yesterday to go out to the Richmond’s assistance and tow her into port, managed to fall in with her ail right. She found the disabled vessel just about dark last night off the Little Barrier, making very slow progress. Mr Donald, of the firm of Donald and Edenborough, owners of the steamer, was on board the Awhina, with several other friends. They were glad enough to see the wellknown Island trader safe and sound, and no time was lost in making the tug fast to the Richmond.

Those on board were found to be in the best of health and spirits, though grumbling a little at the vexatious delay to the steamer’s progress. There were half-a-dozen passengers, besides Mr C. A. Edenborough, part owner, who is accusiomed to travel round with the steamer on her regular Island trip. The bug took the steamer along at the rate of about 6 knots per hour, and at about 1.30 a.m. to-day berthed her safely at the wharf, where quite a number of people were waiting to congratulate Oapt. Hutton and Mr Edenborough on their safe return. HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURHED. Mr O. Latchmore, supercargo of the vessel, and Mr C. A. Edenborough furnish information of the manner in which the steamer became disabled. As surmised by us vesterday, the accident occurred before the Richmond left the Islands.

It appears that on the 3rd inst., two days after leaving the island of Rarotonga, in the Hervey Group, on her homeward voyage, the mishap occurred which so seriously delayed the steamer’s progress. The main or after crank shaft snapped right across at the foremost web or check. The steamer was going along steadily at the time, under easy steam. It was soon seen that the accident was a very serious one. The shaft parted to the extent of half an inch. The screw at once began to thump heavily, but the passengers and crew were soon reassured on learning the nature of the injury. Most fortunately the weather was beautifully fine at the time, or else the consequences of the 800 ton vessel being thus left lying helpless in mid-ocean might have been more serious. The sea was smooth, almost without a ripple, luckily. For four days the steamer lay at sea, unable to make any progress. The chief engineer, Mr Campbell, worked night and day to do what he could to repair the damage, and he and his assistants deserve credit for their exertions. REPAIRING THE BREAK. By means of steel plates the engineers managed to effect temporary repairs ot a very frail character. These plates were placed round the break in the shaft, and made as secure as possible, but this patch was liable to break at anv moment. On Wednesday evening, the 7th inst., it was found possible to make a start for Tonga, en route to Auckland. The rate at which the ship was able bo travel was of necessity very slow, and became very tedious to the passengers and the rest. Somo amusement was provided by rifle practice at the large numbers of sharks which disported themselves round the ship, and in catching these finny monsters. The weather was still very fine and calm.

Captain Hutton (who had with him on this trip as first mate Captain J. Robinson, iabo master of the schooner Buster and other vessels), crowded all the sail on the ship that she carried, which was nob much. She is ringed on her two masts as a topsail schooner, and her spread ot canvas, although nob considerable, was still sufficient to greatly aid the crippled engines whenever a breeze was caught. When within a hundred miles of Nukualofa Harbour (Tonga), on the 11th insb., Sunday morning, one of the steel plates used in repairing the broken shaft gave way. The ship was again left lying helpless in a dead calm. In eight hours or so, however, the damage was temporarily repaired. On Monday morning, the 12th instant, the steamer ARRIVED AT NUKUALOFA safely. Here she was berthed at the wharf, and lay there till the following Friday, while further repairs were being effected to the injured shaft. A band of 6£ inches by 1 inch steel was bolted and screwed round the whole of the elbow of the crank, and the damaged part appeared to be sufficiently secure to continue the voyage up bo Auckland. The s.s. VVainui, from Auckland, arrived at Tonga on Tuesday, the 13bh insb., and her people were much surprised to find the Richmond lying there disabled. The Richmond found all her bananas at Tonga dead ripe, and so did not take them on board. On Friday morning, 16th insb., at eleven o’clock, the steamer made a start from Nukualofa for Auckland. At 5 a.m. next day she was again lying disabled. Seven or eight of the bolts pub in the band round the crank gave way. These were replaced by 3 p.m. that day, and another start was made, going at about half-speed. More bolts gave way on Sunday night next and a halt of six hours had to be made for further repairs. From Tonga down to the North Cape the Richmond averaged about 70 or 80 knots per day. On Monday morning last, 26th insb., the North Capo was in sight. On Sunday and Monday the steamer’s progress _ was very' low, as the strong south-east wind blow-t ing raised a nasty high sea, and is was feared that if the vessel pitched so as to lift her propeller out of the water the strain would cause the injured portion of her machinery to fly to pieces. After passing the North Cape she had smooth water and calm weather down the coast. She came along at between three and three and a half knots per hour. She passed Russell at 3 a.m. yesterday, spoke the 3.8. Arawata, sighted tho steamers Wairarapa and Jubilee, and finally fell in with the tug Awhina off the

Little Barrier at 6 p.m., to the relief of everyone. It was most fortunate for the Richmond ' that she did not meet with any heavy weather on her trip. As it was, she had ( beautifully fine weather until nearing the New Zealand coast. To-day quite a number of interested people inspected the Richmond at the Railway Wharf, a 3 she discharged her fruit and Island produce. She is in a fine condition after her two months’ voyage, excepting for the unfortunate accident in her engineoom. EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. Mr W. Lodder, Lloyd’s Engineer Surveyor, and Captain M. T. Clayton, will most likely survey the injuries this after noon. Until the result oi their inspection is made known, it is problematical as to when the Richmond will be again St for sea. If the shaft is to be replaced by a new one entirely, it is expected that the steamer will have bo remain in port upwards of a , month before leaving on her next Island trip. She will go into dock probably tomorrow.'