PICTON.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4023, 19 November 1881, Page 2

PICTON.

The Penguin.

This day.

The Penguin arrived at midnight, having got off .without sustaining any damage whatever. She sailed for Wellington and tbe South at 1 a.m.

' At Nelson the Wallace arrived in the harbour at midnight, and reports that the Penguin got off the reef at French Pass about 6.30 p.m. The Wallace arrived in the French Pass at about 4 o'clock, and endeavoured to render assistance to the Penguin, but could not get near her till the afternoon at about 5 o'clock. She took the passengers from the steamer, and a hawser was got out and the Wallace attempted to tow her off, but after moving her about 40 feet, the hawser snapped and the Wallace could do no more. The Penguin was however in a better position, and shortly after six she appeared to be floating, and shortly afterwards she went right off the reef. It was found that she was uninjured, and the Wallace then returned the passengers to the Penguin, which vessel proceeded on to Picton. The passengers were much alarmed, which increased on finding that neither the Hawea, which came through the Pass on Friday morning, nor the Wallace could get near enough to take them off. At low tide the ship's stern was high out of the water, and some thought she would not get off. All therefore greatly rejoiced when she went over the reef all right. No particulars are given as to the cause of the accident, but the passengers stated that Captain Malcolm was only called just as the ship got to the Beacon, and she evidently went the wrong side of the channel. It is stated that the Beacon recently erected has had the effect of diverting the current, and has added considerably to the difficulties of navigation.

Later. Wellington, This day. The Penguin arrived at 9.15 this morning and is now going round to go on the patent slip. Capt. Malcolm's account of the accident is as follows :— Left Nelson at 5 p.m. on 17th, for Wellington Tia Picton. On approaching French Pass the night being very dark rendered it very difficult to pick up the Beacon, and when he did he found he was to the northward of it, and the only chance was to take the middle channel, which he attempted to do, but missed it by about ten feet. He did not deem it advisable to reverse the engines, because by doing so the vessel would have gone broadside on to the reef. The vessel struck at 825 p.m., and remained fast till 6 p.m. last night, when she floated off without injury, and proceeded on her voyage.