THE MAITAI.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 January 1917, Page 7

THE MAITAI.

details op disaster. By Telegraph.—Press Association. 'Auckland. Jan. 8. Early this morning tlm jiusspnijors and Momo of the crew from th". Maitai arrived at Auckland from .Karotonga. The tide was evidently fairly when tin? Maitai drifted ashore. Tiie sea about the vessel is studded with dangerous rocks, which have been the scene of previous marine disaster.-;. The captain and officers are of the opinion that there is no hope whatever -of floating Die Maitai, the position occupied by the lmll making b evident that it will breuk i:p on the reefs 011 which the vessel is stranded. Sealing the fate of anv w-sel so firmly Kid, narrow anus of rock reach within a few feet of the surface iirnl sudden] v fall to a twenty feet depth. The captain of the rescuing steamer states that he was unable to 'find. room for the Jlaitai's passengers snd crew as ordinary passengers, so took them as people in distress on condition tliat tiiey provided their own bedding. etc. They were mostly accommodated' on deck during the voyage to Auckland.

The Maitai drafted ashore at 9.20 p.m. on Christmas Day. It was later noticed that the rocks caught her amidships on the reef. The surf increased in force and a heavy swell made the steamer roll, hampering tile work of the men. All night long the men worked until about 1 a.m. next day, when the rising water i:T the hold forced the firemen to quit. Lighters' were then used to carry the ship's stores. That the vessel was drifting all on board knew. They felt a tremor ran through the ship and almost immediately three or four shocks were felt. The mate ran to the bridge and the ship's telegraph sent out a mes- «»(!!' "full speed astern." All efforts to move her were of no avail. She had evidently drifted at a good speed and was fast on ashore. Attempts at refloating the steamer were abandoned, as she had gradually worked her way further on the reef.