ELINGAMITE WRECK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 266, 9 November 1935, Page 11

ELINGAMITE WRECK.

THREE KINGS TRAGEDY.

33RD ANNIVERSARY TO-DAY.

On November 9, 1902, the Huddart■rarker steamer Elingamite was wrecked on West Island, in the Three Kin°B group, with heavy loss of life. The tragedy occurred on a Sunday morning ™ a dense fog. A vessel of 2585 tons, the Elingamite was bound from Sydney to Auckland and carried 130 passengers and a crew of 59.

A lifeboat containing 52 people reached the mainland at Houhora .and the newe of the wreck was telegraphed To Auckland. H.M.S. Penguin, and the eteamere Clansman, Omapcre and Zealandia were at once sent to the rescue. A total of S9 survivors were found by the Zealandia and a raft with eight others was picked up by the Penguin. In addition to general cargo and mail, the Eiingamite carried bullion to tho value of £17,320, Several fruitless attempts have since been made to salvage the treasure, but the deep water in which the vessel eank has made success impossible. One diver lost his life in an attempt to find the treasure.

The captain of the Elingamite, Captain E. B. Atwood, had his certificate suspended, but it was later returned to him, as it was found that the Three Kings Islands were wrongly charted to the extent of several miles.