THE ATHENIC'S MISHAP.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1919, Page 4

THE ATHENIC'S MISHAP.

DETAILS BY A SOLDIER By Telegraph. —Press Association. ' Wellington, Last Night Some interesting particulars o* th» mishap which occurred to the troopship Athenic on her recent trip Home were uiven in a letter which » New Zealand soldier sent to his relatives. The Athenic left New Zealand on June 13, reaching Newport News in Safety. Later, she «ailed far Kingston, Jamaica, makinfr land late in the afternoon. At nightfall she was still some distance from port, but the light at Port Royal couM bo seen. Suddenly, those on board heard a gentlo scraping below, the old ship lifted, and then came a crash and she stopped The ship was hart and fast amidship on a reef, with her bows almost on the beach. The engines were kept going at full speed astern, but the shin refused to move. I" During the night several schemes were tried to release the vessel, but all were unavailing. Next morning it was seen that the" ship had struck three miles from the harbor entrance, hut appeared to he in no danger. As there was no immediate prospect of refloats the vessel, the troops were eventually transferred to landA week later, a tug having arrived, the Athenic was got off badly strained and leaking. She went to Kingston. Most of the cargo was taken out and the concrete poured into the bottom was still there when the troops left, n addition to her own value, she carried one of the most valuable caTgoes of butter, cheese and meat that ever left New Zealand.