LEAKING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 85, 11 April 1931, Page 9

LEAKING.

CARGO STEAMER KIWI. SUBMERGED OBJECT STRUCK. DAMAGE CAUSED IN FOG. MISHAP NEAR BARE ISLAND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, this day. A dense fog encountered near Bare Island, on the East Coast, some miles , south of Cape Kidnappers, was responsible for the Union Steam Ship Company's cargo vessel Kini striking a submerged object on its trip from Wellington to Napier last night. The mishap did not cause damage sufficiently serious to prevent the vessel from continuing her trip. She reached Napier at- 10 o'clock last night, and remained lying at anchor in the roadstead until 7 o'clock this morning, when she was berthed at -the breakwater. Inspection of Hull. It is not .likely that the extent of the damage to the Kini's hull will be known for some time, as a start was made only to-day on the inspection of the underwater portion of the vessel. Until Bare Island was reached the trip from Wellington and the vessel's position were very good, said the master, Captain G. D. Eraser, this morning. At Bare Island, however, a dense fog vnis encountered, and as the Kini was feeling her way through it the shock of "an impact with some submerged object was felt. It was discovered that the vessel was not making water at an alarming rate, but steps were immediately taken to empty the bilges. Upon arrival at Napier at about 10 o'clock the Kini was anchored in the roadstead, but this morning was berthed at the Glasgow wharf. An inspection, of the under-water portion of the .vessel was commenced later by the Napier Harbour Board's diver, but it is hot likely that he will complete his work before late this afternoon. * . Rock' Probably Struck. It is not impossible that the object which the hull of the Kini struck was a rock, or a portion of the ocean bed which was raised by the earthquake of February 3, or by subsequent tremors, as investigations have shown that the submarine effects of the shakes felt since February 3 have been quite as extensive ' as those on the mainland. The Kini has a complement of 25. Her cargo for Napier included 400 tons of coal from Westport and a quantity of general cargc> from Wellington.