TOUCHES A ROCK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 16, 31 October 1935, Page 6

TOUCHES A ROCK

UNION STEAMER WAIPAHI.

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE CAUSED

ACCIDENT OFF iPENCARROW

{Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This D'ay

Considerable damage was done last night to the Union Company’s cargo steamer Waipahi when she touched a rock off Pencarrowt Head when outward bound for Auckland.

Visibility was very poor, and some difficulty was expei’ienced in picking up the beacons after she left the wharf at 11 p.m. The position was checked at the Front beacon, but although Steeple Rock , beacon was visible it was impossible, to tell how far off the ship it was. The vessel did not appear to be out of her course. A course was set south as usual to take the vessel clear of the rocks about Pencarrow. The low level light was seen at times, but it was difficult to. estimate the exact position <if the ship. When abreast of the light the vessel struck some object and commenced to make water. Only one blow was .felt, and the .vessel did not hang on. She was immediately turned back into port and tied up at the Taranaki Street .wharf.

The damage is confined to the port side, by the engine-room, but until a full inspection is made after docking it is impossible to say how, great it is. She remained at the wharf all the morning, with the pumps going, disclxarging oil into a barge. . The theox’y lias been advanced that the vessel was set out of her position by currents set. up by the amount of flood water in the harbour.

One of the crew says that the night was the dirtiest he lias experienced for years, and the fog Avas so thick that it was impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. The Waipahi is an oil-burner of 1783 tons, built in 1925. Captain J. E.. Warwick is in command, with Mr. W. F. Freeman as first officer, Mr H. H. Pike second and Mr B. A. Young third.