VESSEL AGROUND.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 225, 23 September 1929, Page 7

VESSEL AGROUND.

STORM-SWEPT COAST. Tug Hurrying To Aid Of Disabled German Ship. CARGO THROWN OVERBOARD. (Australian and Is.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11 a.m.) COLOMBO, September 22. The German steamer Hochst, bound from Colombo to Europe, is aground off Minicoy Island. It is reported that she is" badly disabled. The tug' Hercules has been sent to attempt to refloat the merchantman. Minicoy Island is more than 400 miles from Colombo. It is a etorra-swept spot in the path of the approaching northcast monsoon. A wireless message late in the evening stated that the Hercules is expected to reach the disabled steamer Hochst at ten to-morrow morning. A message from the Hochst says that tho forepeak is flooded and the lower holds, one and two, are partly flooded. The vessel is gradually getting out of control, owing to the heavy aeas. They were compelled to throw the cargo overboard. Another German steamer is expected to reach Minicoy Island and will stand by till the arrival of the Hercules. It is thought that the vessel grounded when passing through the narrow channel between the two reefs in heavy seas and thick mist. The Hochst is a steel screw steamer of C 854 tons owned by the Hamburg America Line. She was built at Fleusburg, in 1927. Her port of registry is Hamburg,