MARINE MISHAP.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1919, Page 5

MARINE MISHAP.

WESTMORELAND STRIKES GROUND.. AN UNFORTUNATE VESSEL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, May 22. At a late hour last night Turnbull Martin, and Co. received advice that the steamer Westmoreland, which left Bluff at 6.15 p.m. yesterday with the intention of proceeding to Wellington, had struck the ground pretty heavily while leaving the southern port. She was believed to be making water, but continued her voyage, the intention of her captain being to bring the vessel to Port Chamlers where docking facilities will be available. The Westmoreland reached Port Chalmers at 9.30 this morning. On leaving the Bluff last night she bumped heavily in the vicinity of the Channel Rock, which is said to be the same place in which the Knight of the Garter sustained damage a few years ago. The Westmoreland evidently sustained serious damage, as her ballast tanks, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 were filled with water, and there was also a leak in the engine-room. Number 6 tank near the stern previously filled with fresh water is now salt, an indication of leakage there also. The Westmoreland, which is practically a new ship, was on her second voyage to New Zealand. On her last voyage she was on fire and on the trip Home was torpedoed near the English coast and beached at Whitehaven, where she lay for three months, the subsequent repairs taking about nine months. The Westmoreland is now about threequarters loaded with frozen and other produce, most of which was loaded in Australia, and which will be discharged at Port Chalmers before the steamer docks for repairs, which are likely to be extensive. CARGO UNDAMAGED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The discharge of the Westmoreland's cargo commenced this afternoon. Present indications are that the cargo is undamaged, but this cannot be definitely known till it is clear of the bottom holds. It is probable that the vessel's frozen meat will be tranahippfcd to the Remucra, due on Friday, but the Harbor Board's freezing works may resume operations for the purpose of storage. The extent of damage 10 the vessel cannot be fully escertained until the cargo is discharged.