WARSHIP PROMETHEUS DAMAGED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 206, 29 August 1905, Page 2

WARSHIP PROMETHEUS DAMAGED.

- ■" ■ ■ ■ STRIKES AN UNCHARTED ROCK. The third-class cruiser Prometheus, which was only recently attached to the Australasian squadron, and is visiting these waters for the first time, sustained some rather serious damage while at the Kermadec Islands last week by strik ; ng on the rocks, in consequence of which she returned to Auckland for the purpose of docking and survey and probable repairs. The Prometheus left Auckland about a fortnight ago for a speed trial to the Kermadec-.. aft.T which she was to proceed to Wellington, but the latter part of the programme had to be abandoned, as Auckland, besides being nearer, afforded facilities for docking and repairs. While the Prometheus was at anchor •jit one of the bays at Sunday Island last Monday she on her anchor, and then grounded on a submerged rock, which it seems is not marked on the chart. The engines were immediately ordered to go astern and within a minute or so of tha accident the Prometheus floated off. Soundings revealed the fact that a considerable quantity of water had found its way into the vessel, and a diver was sent down to see what could be done in the way of stopping the leak. This was necessarily a tedious task, but j eventually he succeeded iv plugging up j the hole, which was situated amidships, ' and on Thursday the vessel started on j her return voyage for Auckland, arrivI ing here on Sunday evening last. From j tae time of the accident until arrival the hand pumps were kept continuously at work, for the vessel was making about lain, of water every two hours. The warship was in port yesterday, but the fact of the accident 'was kept j quiet pending an inquiry into the ciri cumstanees which is being conducted by | the captains of the Phoebe and the Proj metheus. The inquiry was proceeding ; to-day. The Prometheus was floated j into the Calliope Dock last evening, but I pumping operations were not commenc- j jed until this morning. The dock was I pumped dry about noon to-day. when an examination of the vessel was made. Besides the fairly big hole amidships, a plate at the after end and another forward of the engines are dented j slightly, as is also the . rolling chock. j while a number of plates have also I started at various points on the star- \ board side of the vessel—all tbe damage is on the starboard side. One of the propeller blades was also twisted. .It is unofficially stated that the repairs will take about two months to complete. ; but it is not at present known whether | these will be effected at Auckland or I Sydnev. ■