STRANDING OF UNION STEAMER.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 349, 4 October 1898, Page 2

STRANDING OF UNION STEAMER.

The Union Company s new steamer Mapourika stranded while attempting to cross the bar at Grcymouth shortly after midnight on Friday. She was goiag at half speed ; when abreast of Tip Head an immense blind roller struck her aft; this threw her stern completely out of the water, and *he. of course, did not respond to ihe helm, and went bodily over to the North Tip Head. Seeing that it was impossible to clear the wall, Cape McLean telegraphed '• Full speed astern ;" the order was promptly obeyed, and the steamer was carried to the northward of the training wall and thrown up on to the beach, where she remained. As soon ns she struck hawsers were got out and made fast to the Tip Head. This prevented the vessel canting over. So far as can be ascertained the damage consists of a couple of holes near the bows and the twisting of the stern. There is a good deal of water in the lower hold. At high water on Sunday morning the stern was afloat, and although the bow remains fast there is thought to be a chance of towing her off. (by telegraph—press association). Greymouth, Last Night. The position of the Mapourika is slightly improved. Captain Daniel hopes to be able to stop the rents in the hull, lighten the vessel, and tow her off. If this cannot be done she will be brought broadside on to the beach and launched. He cannot yet give a pronounced opinion. The hull at the bow is a good deal damaged. Wellington, Last ISight. The Post understands that Capt. McLean, when he took command, had explicit instructions from headquarters to take no risks with the Mapourika, as she was a valuable boat and there were no insurances on her. If necessary, it were better for him to err on the side of over-caution. So far, it is not intended to send the Wellington tug Duco to assist the stranded vessel, as plenty of towage power is available at Gr?ymouth. Captain Daniel, the Union Company's foreman, who is at the scene of the accident, has sett the following report to the company: —There is about six feet of water at dead low water at the bow and about three feet at the stern. Damage : Stern twisted from Oft. mark downwards, very like the Waiuui plates on the port side ; very badly holed from the stern to the centre of the bottom of the ship ; the fore hatch under tho chain locker is knocked in altogether; one large hole just on the aft side of tho chain locksr breaking away at the edge of the ballast tank ; another large hole just at the end of the fore cabin, close to the edge of the ballast tank, into the hold ; auother large hole just clear of the ballast tank into the hold, just opposite the centre forehatch. All this damage is on the port side. All the frames, for about 20ft. under the fore cabin, are bent and broken. I have taken up all the lining near the damage, the holes being three or four feet under water at low water. There is a heavy sea, and the shingle is rushing through into the hold. I have great fear of being able to stop the holes, even to float the vessel into the river. At high tide there is fifteen feet of water in the forehold, the weight of water against the bulk head broke the flanges of the water-tight doors, adrriiting water into the engine room. I am strengthening the dcor this tide, and hope to have all finished by the next tide to raise steam in the engine room. If it is possible to save the vessel in her present condition, she can be repaired, as she lies well sheltered from the south-west, and all preparations are being made to protect her from the northward. If not possible by tonight's tide to stop the holes in her bottom, with the prospect of taking her out to sea, I will use every means possible to lie broadside on the beach, with the prospect of eventually launching her. The Magisterial enquiry has been fixed for next Monday at Greymouth. Captains Marcicl (of Christchurch) and Bignall (Harbourmaster at Hokitika) have been appointed nautical assessors.