MISHAP TO THE ROTORUA.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11152, 19 December 1901, Page 5

MISHAP TO THE ROTORUA.

(PSZSS ASSOCIATION TRUCK AM.) NELSON, December 18.

The steamer Rotorua, on the way from Picton to Nelson this morning, had a narrow escape, and was actually ashore at the French Pass for some time, but, fortunately, escaped serious injury, and arrived off Boulder Bay late this afternoon. She has onlT just ((11 p.m.) entered the harbour. The story of a passenger who came ashore in a waterman s boat, is that all went as usual till the French Pass was entered, when the passengers were alarmed on seeing that the steamer was standing for the reer, instead of taking the direct passage. It soon transpired that the steering gear had given way at a critical time. Ti» engines -were put full steam astern, but the flood tide carried the ship on towards the reef, and every effort was unavailing to prevent her going ashore. Aa she took tbe smooth water-worn rocks fthe heeled over so considerably as to cause further fea» that she would go completely over, but everything was done that good seamanship could dictate, and the spare steering gear was , got ready. With the rise of the tide the vessel came off, and it -tras started that she was making no water. The ship came on to port here, and it was generally considered that she had merely losrt a tide. Some work is being done on board. So far as is at present known the vessel-will leave port again at) 12 to-night.