The U.S.S. CO.'s Rotomahana Accident.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4551, 6 August 1883, Page 3

The U.S.S. CO.'s Rotomahana Accident.

(Pee.Peess Association.) Wemjkxjton, Saturday. ' The'accident happened at a quarter to four. The vessel then was supposed to be entering the middle of Foveaux Straits about fourmiles clear of the land, steering a course to clear the Waipapa Point. When tho vessel struck the second male was in charge of the look-out bridge, and Captain Carey on the hurricane deck. The night was clear, but a haze was over the land. There was a light southerly wine,, and a heavy roll from south ward. She struck about a mile and a half off the land, ' and remained there an hour bumping lightly. The engines were put full speed astern without moving her, and were tried full speed ahead with the same result,, but it made her bump once very heavily; then the second swell lifted her off the rocks, and she steamed clear. The boats were got ready, and life belts served out to the crew and passengers. Although the steerage passengers complained that there were no life belts in the steerage, several had to go down to the saloon to take them out of the saloon berth. There was complete order on beard, and Capt. Carey was quite masterof the situation, ordering everything to be done without any confusion. The sea was quite smooth, with a heavy swell, but there was no break. . The Otara reef was visible outside the position of the vessel, as well as between it and the shore. She sails for Port Chalmers at 3 p.m. . There was a southerly swell throughout the night, and a strong, spring flood«tide, it is surmised, must have set her, further in-shore than expected. ..

A Dunedin telegram states that the Botomabana arrived safely yesterday (Sunday) at daylight. Captain Carey makes a statement to the following effect: —We were steering along our ordinary course, and took our departure from Slope Point. I saw Brothers Point and Wakawaka Harbour. Slope Point was the last point of land we saw, and we passed it about three or four miles off. We were going about 8 or 9 knots, and the current must have taken her in. There was a slight swell from the south ward and the wind was off the shore at 3 o'clock a.m. I shaped the course west by south off Slope Point. Ihe second officer, Mr Gresbam was o.n the look-out besides, and I was on the hurricane deck looking out for the Dog Island light at the time of the casualty. It was about 3.45 am., when the. second officer telegraphed " stop." I rushed to the telegraph on the. hurricane deck and ordered " full speed astern." The second officer had seen . what he thought to be breakers on the port bow, and telegraphed "stop," acting with great promptitude. As soon as I telegraphed " full speed astern," I went up on the look-out bridge and took charge, the second officer going to his station at the bpws. After going full speed astern for some short time, and the vessel's way having been stopped, she touched lightly; the current then slewed her. around like a top, and sending her ground so as to head northward, in two or 'three minutes; then I put the helm hard ; a-port to try and get her "off. The engines were going full speed astern all the time, and the vessel touched on the stern, bumping rather heavily, and I put the helm hard a-port again, and went ahead. The lead was kept going, and tbe . man reported from sto 7 fathoms. Then I saw a rock on the starboard bow, and at, once went astern again and put the helm a starboard, and clawed along the shore, bringing Slope Point .on the starboard bow, the vessel heading to the sastward. We had two logs over* and I tested them . at the tfuggett's and found only a mile difference between them in 56 miles. . When the vessel struck every man went to his station. The boats were lifted off the chocks ready for slinging but. The passengers behaved splendidly. One man ' came on the bridge but went away immediately I told him to. The ship only, struck heavily twice. I think we must ■have gone astern against the edge of the reef, bat the first bump must have been on the sand. "•; ' ' , "'''•' Later. ] The Rotomahana was docked to-day, - .when it was found that she had sustained serious injuries aft. The'stern frame' and stern post are. broken. About midships there are several large dents, and some rivets have started. | On the portside are several smaller dents. One blade of the propeller is : broken right off, and three others are damaged. There is no damage forward, j Her repairs will take a considerable time, j

A roan of letters—the postmaster., A man who was formerly a night watchman refers to it as his late occupation.