THE ARAPAWA RE-FLOATED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 328, 21 January 1909, Page 3

THE ARAPAWA RE-FLOATED.

It was indeed most unfortunate that tlit*. Patea Shipping Company's fine new steamer, the Arapawa, should, on her maiile-.i trip to the port, run ashore, says the Patea Press. While the vessel wag entering the channel at about twenty-ifive minutes past seven o'clock on Tuesday morning, she struck a treatherous sand bank near the western ■wall. There was a heavy sea running at tire lime, and tho breakers, which were rolling in fast, interfered with ail attempts at getting the vessel into the river. The. Arapawa, however, was in a "safe position, ami drifted to within about (SO feet'of the south-eastern .wall where she lay all day. The pilot states 'that there was a good channel, hut the •vessel, which is rather longer than the Kapiti, had dilliculty in slewing round 'to enter the channel. There were not a •few at the Heads to wateli the new boat funic in and some of thtpe contended that the Arapawa should not have been allowed to make port, as there was •scarceJv snllieient water in the channel at the time. Time was some excite•ment in town when it was known that 'the. vessel had gone ashore anil there >,vere many interested visitors to the Meads throughout the day. I There was a big crowd at (lie Heads In the evening, at high (ide, when it was thought the. vessel would lie jurf off, but the attempt was unsuccessful. The tides and the weather were more favorable on Wednesday nioiiiiiig, and .at about BJHI tin- Arapawa w enabled to •get olf without any dillieitUy. She was Sot' injured in any way, getting oil' •without a scratch.