THE RUAHINE MISHAP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 131, 27 October 1914, Page 2

THE RUAHINE MISHAP.

UN LOADING OPERATIONS COMMENCED. A SERIOUS LEAK DISCOVERED IN TIME. NO PANIC AMONG PASSENGERS. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Wellington, October 26. The Paiahine and Wahine arrived in harbor shortly before 2 o'clock. The Kualiine had a heavy list to port and had tiie port boats swung out, ready for an emergency. On the way back slie maintained a speed of 13 knots. As soon as the Jiuahinc was berthed unloading operations wcro commenced, and have been proceeding ever since. So far only the cheese in No. hold has been put ashore, many hundreds of crates being in a moist condition. Twei'ii decks is now quite free of water, but water is being pumped out of the lower holds by a hand pump in a steady volume. The discharging of butter has not yet been started, but as this is frozen it is hoped that, even if the water has reached it, no serious damage will have resulted. Until more cargo has been put out it is impossible for the surveyors who are aboard to ascertain definitely the cause of the unexpected leakage. The accepted theory is that one of the ports for shooting frozen meat into the holds was not properly closed. The sensational rumors that had brisk circulation yesterday appear to be without foundation. .So far the damage appears to be chiefly confined to No. 3 hold 'tween decks, but water is also in Kos. 1 and 2 Jiolds.

Enquiries this morning show that there was 110 semblance of panic yesterday morning when the passengers were informed that the vessel was leaking. The word went round just at brcaSTast time, when the Ruahine was 47 miles east of Cape Palliser. The boats were swung out in the derricks and the pasicngers and crew told off to the boats to which they were allotted. The most sensational part of the curtailed vojage was when the Ruahiiie was swung round and headed back for port. She had a serious list to starboard, \vhi;-h increased perceptibly as she answered the Jielm, causing a great dial -of anxiety. The hatches were opened and some of the cargo shifted from No. :t hold to the after part of the ship and the water ballast tanks emptied. The result was that gradually she righted 'herself and then took a list to port. This list is very pronounced as she lies alongside the wliarf deep in the water.