LOSS OF THE KAIRAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 108, 30 September 1914, Page 4

LOSS OF THE KAIRAKI.

THE WRECK LOCATED.

IN TWELVE FATHOMx

A DANGER TO SHIPPING.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Grey-mouth, Last Night. The Kairaiki wreck ha,s been located by a tug, three miles off Point Elizabeth, and five miles north of Uie skmal station, in 72 feet of water. Evidently the vessel had foundered. Greymouth, Later. This morning wb about eight o'clock the Harbor Board's tug Westland left Graymouth for the ipurpose of mailting a search along the north beach and in the vicinity of Point Elizabeth for any signs of the missing vessel Kairaki. After Cruising about for some time, the wreak was located off iPoint Elizabeth at about 11.30. Three of the ship's derricks were visible above the water. The .position where the-wreck was located is situated 814 miles from Point Elizabeth, and 3% miles distant from the Greymouth signal station. The vessel is lying in twelve fathoms of water, and, being right in the track of shipping, presents some danger to vessels making the trip to and from Greymouth, so that no doubt the authorities will take steps as early as possible to remove the danger. From hex position it is apparent that the vessol must 'have, foundered, and ibis could only have Ibeen brought about toy the ship becoming umimanageable through accident to her machinery. This disposes of many or the theories as to the probable fate of the ship, ami leaves no doubt that she became a victim to the fury of the elc- . meats last Friday ni(ght or Saturday morning, when she was probably in a helpless condition, The search party yesterday saw no signs of any further wreckage. Immediately on return to port, Captain McPhereoii communicated -with the Customs authorities, and supplied them with particulars of the search. Mr, P. Davies, of the Customs Office, then wired the Marine Department, Wellington, us follows:—"Wreck of Kairaki located bearing NjSIW. magnetic, two and a-quarter miles from Point Elizabeth, N.W. by N. magnetic instant three and three-quarter miles from GTeymom.i signal station; twelve fathoms; derrick ends visible; dangerous to shipping." Wreckage continues to come ashore on the Ten-mile and Sevcmteen-mile beaches, but so far there are no traces of the bodies of the victims of the week, and it is probable they will never be recovered. The (several stretches of ibeach are being regularly : "patrolled by the police and others.

HELP FOE ME3NIIENTS. ■ Wellington, last Night. The Wellington Wliaf Laborers' Unio.l to-<iay yoted £25 to t<ho dependents of the men lost in the Kairaiki wreck.