SHIPWRECK IN COOK STRAIT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2510, 11 August 1888, Page 2

SHIPWRECK IN COOK STRAIT.

« (by telegraph.—peeks association , .) Blenhkim, Friday. Some time last niglit the barque Kate Tatham, of Napier, grouuded under the White Bluff in Cloudy Bay. The river steamer Kanieri went to help her off. The Kate Tatham was bound from Newcastle to Napier with coal, and had been 16 clays on the passage. Later. The Kanieri has left the barque and gone on to Wellington. She took on board some of the vessels effects. The barque does not seem to labour heavily, the sea being moderate and the weather calm. She lies about two and ahalf miles from Wairau bar. The vessel was beating across the Straits, with a fresh breeze and high sea and swell, when she got too close in before observing land, which was obscured by thick weather. Before anythin? could be done to work the ship out of her dangerous position she struck the rocks and remained fast. It was about 6 o'clock last evening when the vessel struck, and the ciew were at once employed in lightening her, with a view of getting her off, and rockets were fired. About 9 o'clock in the morning the ships pumps were sounded, and it was ascertained that there were 10ft. of water in

the hold, and by 10 o'clock it had risen above the cargo. A3 there was no chance of the vessel coming off the captain of the Kanieri decided to resume his voyage to Wellington, and Mr Edward O'Brien, the chief officer and the crew of the Kate Tatham came over in her. The Kate Tatham left Newcastle on the 25th ult. with 400 tons of coal for Napier. Mr O'Brien attributes the accident to the thick weather. She lies on a very rough bottom, and the chief officer considers that she will become a total wreck, but states that a large quantity of gear can be saved if steps are at once taken to dismantle the ship. The Kate Tatham is a small barque of 275 tons ; is 25 years old, and owned by Messrs Tale and Mills, of Napier. It is understood that both vessel and cargo are insured, but in what office is not known here, She is valued at £2,000.