ILL-FATED PORT KEMBLA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 23 August 1926, Page 9

ILL-FATED PORT KEMBLA.

STRIKES IN THE DARKNESS

" ONLY MOMENTARY

CONFUSION."

A PASSENGER'S STORY

A graphic story of the wreck of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line steamer Port Kembla, which struck a reef off San Salvador in the West Indies on July 8 when en route from London to Dunedin, is told by a passeng-er, Dr. H. M. Birch, of Adelaide, who arrived in Auckland by the motorship Port Dunedin on Saturday afternoon. After coaling, the Port Kembla left Newport News on July 5. At 4 o'clock on the morning of July 8 all on board were startled by the crash of the steamer striking the reef. "Momentary confusion followed, but apart from this there was but mild sensation," said Dr. Birch.

Crew and passengers were mustered on deck, and the lifeboats swung out. The early morning was pitch dark, but the watch reported that San Salvador was within easy reach. The inrush of water indicated that the vessel was badly pierced, but the steam pumps were started immediately, and an inspection of the bilges showed that the water was being kept in cheek.

When daylight came it was seen that the Port Kembla was in the midst of a large reef area, about two miles from San Salvador. Small boats from the island came alongside, the natives reporting that another steamer which had piled up on another reef several years ago was still hard and fa?t.

As the weather was fine, it was decided to make an attempt to refloat the steamer. Two lifeboats were lashed together, and a heavy anchor suspended between them. With the anchor dropped in deep water, cables were attached to the winches, and an attempt made to haul the vessel off. Although a large quantity of coal was clumped to lighten the ship, all the attempts failed. On July 11, a salvage tug from Kingston arrived with pump equipment and native labourers. The water had now gained, whilst the rent in the vessel's hull had increased. Salvage efforts were renewed, but the task appeared hopeless. On July 14 the steamer Venezuela arrived to take off the passengers, who were landed at Cologne. The Port Kembla's other passengers are on board the liner Corinthic, which is due at Auckland from Southampton to-morrow evening.