STEAMER AGROUND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 31, 6 February 1943, Page 6

STEAMER AGROUND

COOK STRAIT MISHAP ALL PASSENGERS SAFE (P.A.) NELSON, this day. In thick weather, the Anchor Shipping Company's steamer Arahura, 1607 tons, ran aground on Cape Stephens northernmost point of D'Urville Island, in the early hours this morning on her way from Wellington to Nelson.

All the passengers, numbering approximately 112, are safe and are being conveyed by launch to French Pass. The vessel has since been refloated but the extent of the damage to her hull has not yet been ascertained. Leaving Wellington at 7.30 last evening, it was intended that the Arahura would take the route through the French Pass, but on account of the weather it went round D'Urville Island, taking a course between D'Urville Island and Stephens Island. The Anchor Company received its first advice of the mishap from Wellington radio at 4.10 a.m. The radio advised that the Arahura was aground and her position was given as approximately at Cape Stephens. That indicated that the assistance of launches was required, stated Mr. A. R. Dyson, manager of the company, this morning. Mr. G. Webber, of French Pass, was communicated with, and he promptly arranged for five launches to proceed to the scene. The Navy Department arranged for an Air Force launch to assist. A radio at 6.50 a.m. stated: All passengers ashore. Ship bumping heavily." Later messages stated that the vessel had been refloated and that the passengers were on their wav to the Pass. , The steamer Kaitoa was dispatched from Nelson at 7 a.m. to assist the Arahura if required and to bring the passengers to Nelson. The latest advice received from the Arahura is that the vessel is lying at anchor oil d'Urville Island, and that the passengers are re-em-barking. It is expected that the vessel will arrive at Nelson at 7 o'clock this evening. At 11 a.m. I there was still a heavy fog at French ] Pass.