THE WARRIMOO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 17 September 1907, Page 2

THE WARRIMOO.

SUCCESSFULLY TOWED OFF

Per Press Association. Wellingon, Monday,

Early yesterday evening a sensation was created in tile city by the news tliat the Union Colnipany'u steamer Warrimoo, which left Lyttelton on Saturday night for Newcastle, was ashore close to tilo lighthouse at Cape Farewell.

Mr Whitson, acting manager of the Company's Wellington ollicc, stales that the Warrimoo, after being painted and overhauled at Lyttelton graving .dock, was floated out on Saturday morning. Instead of going to Port. Chalmers to complete licr overhaul the vessel sailed at 11.30 011 Saturday night for Newcastle with tho Mouowai's spare tail shaft, propeller hoss, and crank shaft, which had been brought up from Port Chalmers by the Tarawei'a in case the Monowai required any of these parts. The alteration of the Warrimoo's movements was necessitated by the disarrangement of the timetable due to the Monowai's non-arrival at Sydney.

Captain Mcßeth, w' " i J . in clrirge of the Warrimoo, had bw advised to communicate with C;ip Farewell lighthouse yesterday aft vioon with a view to obtaining tidings of the Monowai. Mr Whitson, 011 receipt of the news of the mishap, directed the Westpovt branch to send the Araliura to file Warrimoo's assistance. The Nelso/n branch was instructed to despatch the Rotoiti 011 her arrival from Wellington'. Tho collier Pnkaki was despatched at 11.15 last night for Farewell Spit with salvage ear.

At 2.30 this morning the Union Co. received the following telegram from Cape Farewell: — "High water. Win,d south, freshening. No change Warrimoo's position. No sign any other steamers. If Warrimoo remains aground at high water, it is expected that the eomlbined efforts of the company's steamers will extricate vessel frdjn her position on this afternoon's tide." The vessel, it is believed, has neither passengers nor cargo of any kind. Tier position cannnot be considered idangerous under the circumstances. The Marine Department received a message later from Cape Farewell lighthouse, stating that the Warrimoo was, still asliore. near the landing-place for the lighthouse, and that the Rotoiti from Nelson had arrived anyl was standing by. In addition to the Rotoiti, the MnrSroa, Arahura, and Pukalci have gone To tho scene of the accident. Nelson, Mondi.y. The weather was foggy at the time, and it is surmised that the Warrimoo got too close in in endeavoring to spealc the lighthouse. The sea was calm, but a strong southeaster was blowing. The Warrimoo was about two niTles from the end of the Spit on the GoTden! Bay side, in a, sheltered position, and on a sandy bottom. At high water this morning, an attempt was made to kedge the steamer off with anchors and full steam, but it' was 'unsuccessful. The south-easter [Mowing asisted to nullify the efforts made. The Rotoiti reached Nelson, from Wellington .it 2.15 this morning, laivled her passengers, and immediately left for the scene, arriving before 7 o'clock, and anchored until high tide . Tile Arahura, on her trip to Westnort and Groy,mouth„ received instructions to proceed to the Warrimoo. She- landed all her passengers e.t West,port, took in bunker coal, and left at 5 o'clock, and should arrive at the Spit n.t about 2 o'clock. The Mararoa from Wellington is also due this afternoon, and at high water the three steamers will endeavor to low the Warrimoo off.

NO DAMAGE SUSTAINED.

Per Press Association. Nelson, Monday Afternoon. The Mararoa an 4 tho Rotoiti pulled the, Warrimoo oft' this afternoon, and the vessel is now on lier way to' Wellington, It is believed she sutained no damage.

Later. At 1.15 p.m. tihe Rotoiti arvd Maravoa' had tow lines on to the WV.rrimoo, and the steamer glided off into deep water, 'he Mararoa and Warrimoo went through (he Straits, presumably to ellington, and the Arahura returned to the coast, Tt is not anticipated that the Warrimoo sustained tho slightest damage. LATER PARTICULARS.

Per Press Association. „ , Nelson, Last night. Larly this morning the Rotoiti' was sent to Farewell Spit to assist the Warrnnoo, arriving there at half-past seven. Tile stranded steamer-was about threequarters of a mile on the nor-west side of the lighthouse, lying bow on to a sandy beach, and at dead low water lier propeller was just visible. A strong south-easterly was blowing, with ai considerable sea. The Rotoiti steamed to within one hundred yards, and made preparations for towing the Warrimoo O" ,vllcn t'» c tide rose. At a. quarter to one the Mararoa arrived from Wellin"ton, and stood by, a quarter of a mite from the Rotoiti, while half an hour later the Arahura steamed up from West port. At one-twenty, the Rotoiti commenced towing, the engines being put slow ahead, and then half speed. I ho Warrimoo glided ofT the sand bank into deep water at one-thirty, wheneaptam Mcßeth signalled "No damage," and the Warrimoo and the Mararoa steamed off to Wellington. Great praise is due Captain Robertson for the sea-man-hke manner in which he handled the Kotoiti.

\f,n i ascertained that Captain Mtße h was standing in close to the hpit lighthouse to ascertain if any tidings of the Monowai had been received when the Warrimoo touched one ot the ever-moving sand-banks, the iu . a few y ards from twenty fathoms to nine. Wellington, Last Night, the Mararoa returned to-night from her trip Gape Farewell, where she went to assist in floating the Warrimto 01F. Shoitly after her arrival, and while preparations were being made to eonneet with the stranded vessel, the Rotoiti succeeded in towing her off. The Warrimoo passed through Cook Straft to-night bound for Godley Head fori orders. Tt is understood she will be I sent on to Port Chalmers,