THE MONOWAI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 253, 26 October 1901, Page 2

THE MONOWAI.

AKKIVAL AT DUNBDIN. PER PEKSS ASSOCIATION. Dunedin, October 25. Shortly before 6 this morning the Mokoia arrived oft' the Heads with tha Vonowni in tow. Ths following message from Eogineßr Patch wag handed aboard the tug:—" At 1.30 a.m. on Thursday, 17th, we struck something with thn propeller, and after that felt | peculiar vibrations. At 630 the ensines got away nt hard speed. On examination it was found that about half the boss bad gone, and two blades with it; the shaft was runniog round without the boss."

Captun Spinks told a very simple narrative: —" We left the Bluff at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon with instructions to spend at least three days looking out for the Mooowai. We eteeied along about 70 or 80 miles to the north of the usual couise, and sighted her at 8.25 p.m. on Tuesday, about 16 miles north. When we got near we received a message from Captain Ohatfield, saying he bad been drifting since Thursday morning. At 10.15 we took her in tow. When w» started from the coast we had a thick fop, which lasted till half an hour after aoon on Tuesday. After catching hold bad fine weather till Wednesday forenoon ; experienced heavy S.W. swell, which gave us a little anxiety as to whether the hawser would stand, but it was all right. We pissed Soltnders at 10.30 yesterday morning, thence had a smooth sea with rain showei* last night."

Mr Snendon, one of the passengers, s<id Monoroi had a lot of sail on while drifting about, also doing good service in towing. When 430 miles out fr.im the Bluff on Tuesday night our look-our. n po tfd a v. ssel in sight towards New Zealand. Shortly afterwards a rocket went up, but it was hardly discerniblp. The skipper immediately kent up a rocket in reply, which was answered. He then turned on coloured light', so did the other. They were soon within hailing distant*. Had it hot been for delay caused by the fog probably they would have missed each other. The rejoicing on board tha Monowai was tremendoos, everyone sirgiag " Praise God from whom all blessings flow." She was perfectly helpl'efa, and 87 miles out of her course

A Mooowai passenger states that c vt-rybody vied with everyone dee to amuse and eotertain his fellows. The officers end crew did all possible for their cjmfort and no sickness or mia> hap Oicurrcd. Mr. White, of the Jubilee nngmt says that when they heard of the accident they resigned thomsrlve* to enjoyment, and* their heartiness and good nature could not be excelled.

One of the Mckoia's passengers lay* that after getting the vessel in tow theie was an anxious time for both &t:amers, as a heavy swell set io, and b>ih rolled hewily. The Mokoia's p iflsengflrs took the delay ia the best spirits, and eojy.d themselves. WbeO' fuund, the Mooowai was slightly short of fresh water and flour, wluh wera immediately sent aooard.

Lira.

Oaptain Spinks, of the Mokoia, stated:—"When we picked up the Monowai she was 200 miles west of Fuysegur Point, It was an uneventful tow. There was a little excitement. among the passengers when th» two ships met, and they started singling. lam not a musioal man myself, and can't tell what they wen singing ; but it was a hymn of som« sort. The first thing we saw when looking for the Monowaji was a rocket. We replied with another rocket,.and than steered straight for her." Whilst Oaptain Spinks was talking a bundle of telegrams was put into hia hand. Among them was one frtm tb» Premier, congratulating him on one* mora saving a disabled vessel. The Monowai was taken to tbt George street pier, prepar&toiy to docking-

Them wag an interesting scene Ute this afternoon at Port Gc&lmers, when the Mohoia, having taken on board nearly all of the Monowai's passenger*, left for Melbourne. Captain Ohaifield and the officers and crew at tkt Monowai were on the wharf, and heartily cheered Oiptain Spinks and the Mokoia. Tha Mocowai's late ysengers then cheered ('aprain Chatfield and the Monowai, and the Mokoia steimed awa,y with the passengers, assisted by the Opera OoDpuy end JubjJee Siegers, singing lustily " Ft* they are j'«lly coed fellows."