MISHAP TO BADEN-POWELL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1920, Page 6

MISHAP TO BADEN-POWELL.

FURTHER DETAILS OF ACCIDENT. REPAIRS NECESSARY. Tlie Wellington Steamship Company's steamer Baden Powell arrived back at Wellington at 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning, with a considerable leak, apparently caused by striking a rock while olf the Taranaki coast early last Thursday morning (says the Times). The damage to the vessel's hull is of such a character that she will have to undergo repairs before resuming her running. Captain H. P. Olson was in temporary command of the Baden Powell when the mishap occurred, Captain C. MacPiierson, the master, remaining at Wellington to give evidence in a court case. The Baden Powell, with a cargo of benzine, left Wellington at 11.20 p.m. on Tuesday, the 17th inst, for New Plymouth, and ran into thick, rainy weather. Shortly after 1 o'clock on Thursday morning a dark obstacle suddenly appeared dead ahead. The vessel's course was promptly altered, but she struck a moment later, and after bumping gently two or three times, remained fast for- a few minutes. The engines then got the vessel off, and she resumed her way to Tc-w Plymouth, where she arrived at 12.20 p.m. on Thursday. The weather had been very thick, with heavy rain for twelve hours prior to the vessel striking. A course had been set to clear Ctpe Kgmont at a distance of eight miles, and the obstacle the ship struck is believed to have been about fifteen miles south of Opunake, in the South Taranaki Bight. The vessel began to leak a little when she came oil', but the water was not coming in at a rate which menaced the safety of the ship. At New Plymouth a diver went down and reported that one plnnk at the after-end of the vessel had been chafed and the propeller blades were bent; The rudder was also found to be unshipped. The Wellington Harbor Board's diver made an examination of the boat, and reported damages that will need repairs before the vessel can resume running.