ON THE ROCKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 238, 8 October 1934, Page 7

ON THE ROCKS.

Danish Motor Ship Aground in South Australia.

CARGO MAY BE JETTISONED

(Received 10 a.m.) ADELAIDE, this day. Driven ashore by a strong wind on Saturday, the Danish motor ship Victoria (4454 tons) is now fast on the rocks near the entrance to the "back stairs" passage east of Porpoise Head. The vessel's forepeak is leaking badly and her position is dangerous, though the- 30 members of the crew are in no danger. The tug Wato went to the assistance of the Victoria, which is fairly sheltered, unless the wind changes to the southeast. Her cargo consists of 6300 tons of superphosphates from the British Phosphate Commission. The latest report from the captain of the Victoria is that the vessel is still in a perilous position. Three tugs have failed to move the vessel. The cargo will probably be jettisoned. A Press Association message from Wellington yesterday stated: —The DirectorGeneral of the Post and Telegraph Department has received the following advice from the superintendent of the Wellington radio station: The Victoria ran •aground near' Adelaide early this morning. At 4.42 a.m., New Zealand standard time, Adelaide radio advised the tug Wato, which was proceeding to the Victoria's assistance, as follows:—"At 1.40 a.m., a message was received from the Victoria as follows: 'Abandoning ship.' We have made arrangements for the crew to be taken off by rocket apparatus. Her engines are done in, and heavy rollers are breaking over "the ship." The Victoria has visited Auckland several times, mostly with phosphate cargoes. On her last visit she arrived on August 14, and left four days later after discharging 8200 tons from Nauru Island. From here she went to Makatea, where she loaded the phosphates which she was carrying to Australia on her present trip. HIGH SEAS BREAKING. REFLOATING EFFORTS FAIL. (Received 1.30 p.m.) ADELAIDE, this day. Attempts to refloat the Victoria have temporarily been abandoned as high seas are running and waves are breaking over the vessel. NEED OF SINGAPORE. Lord Milne's View on Defence Of Australia. SAFETY OF THE EMPIRE. MELBOURNE, October 7. Field-Marshal Lord Milne, formerly Chief of the imperial Staff, has arrived in Melbourne for the Centenary celebrations. In an interview he said that although Australia is not within striking distance of any country by air she could be raided by aeroplanes from an enemy navy. Therefore Lord Milne advises the strengthening of the sea defences, the protection of trade routes, and equipping a chain of military and naval forts from Portsmouth to Singapore. Ho says that without Singapore as a battleship base it would be impossible for Britain to render help either to Australia or to New Zealand. SHIP IN DANGER. CRUISER STANDING BY. HONGKONG, October 7. The BritisTi steamer City of Cambridge (7058 tons), from the United States, bound for Shanghai, is ashore on Pratas Reef. Her position is rendered dangerous owing to the near presence of the typhoon. . A tug lias been dispatched from Hongkong, and the British cruiser Suffolk' is standing by in readiness to proceed to the scene if necessary.