Accident to s.s. Kaipara

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 12, 15 January 1910, Page 5

Accident to s.s. Kaipara

STRIKES A ROCK IN RANGITOTO CHANNEL. CARGO BEING LIGHTERED. [press association.] AUCKLAND, January 14. Shipping circles were thrown into something; like consternation this afternoon with a rumor that the New Zealand Shipping Company's fine steamer Kaipara, which had left at about 2.30 p.m. for London, laden with a large cargo, had met with a mishap in Rangitoto channel, and was in a serious condition. Gradually the rumor was confirmed, and the fact became known that the vessel had struck something in the channel, and her position, was serious, and that there was a good deal of water in two of her forward holds. The news was first conveyed to town by the signalman at North Head, who noticed the boat in difficulties, and sent a telephone message through to the Harbor authorities, and the New Zealand Shipping panyThe vessel now lies in the channel, her keel resting on the bottom, and there is several feet of water in No. 1 and No. 2 holds. A PASSENGER'S STORY. Lieut. Elewes, of the British Army, who was travelling for his health, was one of the seven or eight passengers who embarked on the steamer for London, and was seen soon after the accident. He gave' the following account:—"We left the railway wharf at about two o'clock and carried the pilot till a little round the Heads. Soon after we had dropped the pilot, and were going at full speed, just between the two lifebuoys, there was a slight grating, and the steamer, which had a considerable list when we left the jetty, listed over a good deial more, in fact, I thought she Avas going over altogether. The ship was suddenly righted, the engines were stopped, and the Avells were sounded. It was found that in No. 1 and No. 2 holds the water was making rapidly. THE BOATS LOWERED. Lifebelts were served out, and the boats were lowered in remarkably qiiick time. Perfect order and discipline prevailed, and the catpain Avas as cool as though he Avas just going alongside the AAharf. The Avater round us Avas fortunately very shalloav, a little OA r er five fathoms, and the vessel gradually settled doAvn Avith her keel on the bottom, and there she lies hard and fast. She is considerably more doAvn. by the boAAthan the stern. While Ave lay in this plight a little coastal boat, the Chelmsford, came alongside, and several of the passengers Avent off in her back to Auckland. The Auckland Harbor Board's tug AAvhina Avas despatched to the scene of the accident at once, and several launches also went doAvn from Auckland. ... . PUMPING THOUGHT IMPRACTICABLE. Arrangements have been made to send the nretloat doAvn this evening to see if the Kaipara can be pumped out, though there does not seem much chance that this Avill be possible at this juncture. The company has made arrangements Avith the. Northern Company and the Union Company's Talune to lighter the cargo from the stranded ship. The steamer Avhen she struck made 22ft of Avater in three minutes, and settled down by the head, having her boAv about 12ft out of the Avater, the stern Avater line shoAving about 2ft above. She appears to have been ripped along the bottom from under the foremast to near the funnel. SalAvork is uoav proceeding. After the cargo is taken out it is intended as far as can be gathered to pump the Avater out and effect temporary repairs and place the steamer in the Calliope Dock. It Avas low tide Avhen the vessel struck, and the Avater has now crept up the forAvard part of the vessel to such an extent that it reaches Avithin a foot or more of the deck.

WELLINGTON, This Day. The tug Terawhiti left for Auckland this afternoon in connection with the mishap to the Kaipara. Mr Daniel, of the Union Co., with a staff of men, left by the express train, and will wait the arrival of the Terawhiti at Auckland. He took by train four salvaging pumps and gear. AUCKLAND, TNhis Day. The diver who went down to examine the Kaipara found a hole on the starboard side near the bow six inches in width and five feet long. It is probable there are others, judging by the quick inrush of water. The hold is flooded, to a depth of 32 feet, and the vessel is down to her hawseholes. Pumping operations will be commenced to-night. A pulsometer is being installed today. The engineer in charge of the operations does not anticipate much trouble in getting the water out, unless further large holes are found, as it will be an easy matter to cover up the hole with a mat. If pumping operations are successful, the vessel will be afloat to-mor-row. The work of discharging the flooded holds is proceeding slowly, the cargo having to be dragged out from under water with grappling hooks. Lists of the cargo damaged are not yet obtainable, all having been shipped south. It consists of butter, meat, wool, cheese, and other produce. The meat will will be ruined, and the cheese will probably be useless, but the butter will be re-boxed and sent home. The coal loaded on top of the general cargo in the third hold, which, is forward of the engineroom, is being discharged, in order to ascertain whether there is any damage in this hold.