ACCIDENT TO THE ROTOKINO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 274, 18 November 1899, Page 4

ACCIDENT TO THE ROTOKINO.

THE RUDDER SHAFT BROKEN,

A message was received last evening by the Harbour Board authorities from the lighthouse keeper at Tiritiri to the effect that a large steamer, disabled, and showing signals of distress, was drifting in past Tiritiri. It was at first thought that the steamer was the Sahara, which, left. Auckland for Sydney on Thursday afternoon, but the lighthouse keeper considered it to be the Manapouri, which left for Tonga on Thursday afternoon.

Sir Sleay, acting-manager of the Union Co.'s local branch, made arrangements with Mr C. Hanson, manager of the N.S.S. Co., for the Waitangi to go to the relief of the steamer and fehe was despatched. at S.3o' p.m. This morning it was found that the steamer was the s.s. Rotokiuo, from Fiji to Auckland, with a cargo of raw sugar and fruit. She arrived in port at about ten o'clock, when it was found that her steering gear was disabled.

Mr J. G. Hull, the first officer, reported that the- Rotokino left Suva after loading through the group at midnight on Friday last, and had fine weather for the first three days. On Wednesday the vessel fell in with a strong easterly blow, increasing to a heavy gale, which still prevailed nextday.

On' Thursday morning at_7,3o o'clock when the Rotokino was five miles off the Poor Knights it was discovered that the rudder shaft was broken in the trunkway, rendering- the rudder perfectly -useless. A jury rudder was constructed and every endeavour was made to fix this astern of the rudder, "but owing to the heavy sea, and. to the rolling and pitching of the steamer, this was impossible. The ship was accordingly manoeuvred down the coast by means of her sails and engines, full steam being" put on when the wind blew her head the right way, and the engines being slowed or stopped when her bow was off the course. With great difficulty the vessel was thus got inside Tiritiri, and here she dropped anchor at S o'clock last night, the gale still continuing, and the vessel rolling and pitching a good deal.

i At 11 p.m. the s.s. Waitangi got- ! alongside the Eotokino, and pi'epared to take her iv tow. Three times a hawser was got out, and each time it i parted, but during the night the wind I decreased, and at 3 o'clock this tnorn- ■ ing a line was secured, and the steamers .left for . Auckland. During, the night another unsuccessful attempt was made to ship the jury rudder, but after entering the harbour this morning clamps were fixed to the rudder, fastened to cables, going outside the hull, and by means of the winches the vessel was got under control and brought to the Queen-street wharf.

The vessel will have to be docked and the rudder removed before repairs can be effected. It was a very anxious time for all on board, and Captain Me Arthur did not once leave the bridge from some time before the accident occurred until the vessel was berthed. He was on the bridge continuously for 56 hours. The distance from* the Poor Ehights is' about .100 miles, and had the accident not occurred the vessel would have been here [on Thursday eveningl.