STILL ON BAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 125, 28 May 1932, Page 10

STILL ON BAR.

STEAMER KAPONGA. AWAITING ARRIVAL OF TUG. PROSPECTS HOPEFUL. MODERATE SWELL AT MID-DAY. (By Telegraph.—rress Association.) GREYMOUTH, this day. The Union Company's cargo steamer J£aponga, when sailing with a full cargo pf 2900 tons of coal yesterday afternoon for Aaskland, became stranded on the Grey bar, and remained there all night awaiting an effort to refloat her on this jnorning's tide. The ship's position was unchanged at jnid-day to-day. Little can be done until tho arrival of the Union Company's tug Terawhiti, which left Wellington at 1.45 this morning, and is not expected to arrive before 11 o'clock to-night. At mid-day the prospects of salvage were considered hopeful. There was a jnoderate swell on the bar. All on board are safe. The vessel carries a company of 33. The master js Captain Gray; the chief officer is Mr. T. E. Bevan; the second officer, Mr. W. B. Gibson; third, Mr. I). Clarke; and the chief engineer, Mr. Dilncr. On the Peak of High Water. The bar was sounded at 1.0 p.m., Captain Gray being present, and the depth was then 13ft, indicating 21ft 9in at Jiigh water, on the peak of which the Kaponga reached the bar. That was just after four o'clock. The vessel wae drawing 18ft Gin. She struck opposite the pignal station and subsequently moved put a distance of about twice her length.

The eea was quite moderate, but the vessel's bow was gradually veered to the northward by the swell, which was increasing, and the ship then lay across the inner bar, there being a second bar further out.

Steam was raised on the Harbour Board's tug, which arrived at the ship's Bide three-quarters of an hour after the stranding. In the meantime the Kalingo T*hich had crossed the bar half an hour before the Kaponga, was standing by in the roadstead, but was unable to render assistance. The tug got a line to the etern of the Kaponga, but under the etrain it broke.

A crash was then heard, and as the Jiaponga's stern rose the rudder was seen to be broken and hanging loose. The Anchor steamer Titoki then left the wharf and safely negotiated the bar. Passing the Kaponga's stern, the Titoki threw a line to be attached to the Kaponga, but the line was lost, and, after standing by for some time, the JTitoki proceeded to Westport. Pivoting on Sandbank. The tug then retrieved the broken lawser, and from the bow of the Kaponga a line was carried by boat to the tug, which then went up the river, the strain serving to keep the Kaponga's tow from veering toward .the rocks on the north tiphead.

In the meantime word had been sent to Wellington for the Union Company's tug Terawhiti.

The Kaponga began leaking as a repult of pivoting amidships on the sandlank, but though 4ft of water was reported in the fore and aft compartments early in the evening the pumps were coping with the water.

Late last night the Kaponga was hard and fast across itho inner bar, her bow .pointing toward the north tiphead, ■which ie about 50ft distant. Fortunately there was little eea. All the crew rejnained on board. Whistled to Indicate Bump. Captain Cox, harbourmaster, stated that the Kaponga left the wharf at 3.45 p.m., eo as to be on the bar at the top of high water. There was then a considerable swell. The vessel whistled once, indicating a bump. Hβ thought ehe was clear, 'but then it appeared she .was fast amidships. It has been ascertained that the Kalingo which was drawing a foot less than the Kaponga, touched the bar and •whistled when she sailed half an hour {before the Kaponga. After standing by for some time the Kalingo proceeded to Newcastle.

The Kaponga was specially built for the Union Company to enter the coal trade from West Coast ports. She is a steel steamer of 2344 tons and was built ty W. Gray and Company, Limited, .West Hartlepool, in 1925. The vessel Jiad been barbouni for about four days, and at the time of the mishap was on ier way from Greymouth to Auckland.