OVERDUE STEAMERS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 7 March 1912, Page 5

OVERDUE STEAMERS

THE HIMITANGL STRANDED AT THE CHATHAMS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. H.M.S. Pioneer reported by wireless at 9.15 a.m. that she had "no information" of the Himitangi. The Gertie reported to Cape Palliser lighthouse this afternoon that the Himitangi is stranded at the Chathams, and that the crew are standing by. CREW AND PASSENGERS SAFE. ASHORE ON SANDY BEACH. EVERY PROSPECT OF FLOTATION. Wellington, Last Night. Anxiety in Wellington regarding the overdue steamer Himitangi was ended this afternoon when the Marine Department received a message from Cape Palliser stating that the steamer Gertie had reported that the Himitangi was stranded at Chathams, ami that the crew were standing by her: The Gertie, one of' the three vessels sent in search of the Himitangi, arrived a few hours later and confirmed the message. She also landed four of the Himitangi's passengers. The Gertie reached Waitangi last Saturday, and from the roadstead could see the Himitangi stranded on the east side of Petre Bay. Captain Rodger, who went with the Gertie as mate, said he had ascertained that the Himitangi went "ashore on the morning of Sunday, February 11. She had arrived at Waitangi at 2 o'clock that morning, and anchored in the roadstead. Three hours later she was found to be on the beach, having dragged her anchor. She was standing upright and broadside on, on a level, sandy beach. Efforts to get her off failed, but with the aid of gear and suitable weather it is considered probable that she will b» got off;

Residents of the island are treating the captain and crew well. Meanwhile the vessel is in no danger, being in a soft, easy bed, with three anchors out. DEATHS AT THE ISLAND. Early in the afternoon of the day the vessel stranded the ship's cook, J. Merritt, died suddenly from natural causes. He was buried in the cemetery, close to the stranding, as was also the body of Captain Hood, a very old resident of the island, who had died a day or two before.

Between the time of the stranding of the Himitangi and the departure of the Gertie there were six deaths on the island.

THE REGULUS DELAYED. ' Gisborne, Last Night. There are fears for the safety of the steamer Regulus (584 tons), bound from Westport to Gisborne with a cargo of coal from the Westport Coal Company. She should have arrived on Mondav night, and it is feared that the vessel was caught in the storm that raged in Cook Straits on Saturday. The Regulus is commanded by Captain Tointon. PROBABLY IN SIGHT. Gisborne, Later. A steamer, believed to be the Regulus arrived in the offing shortly after 10 p.m., but will not berth before midnight.