VESSEL HIGH AND DRY AT LOW WATER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 136099, 25 April 1908, Page 10

VESSEL HIGH AND DRY AT LOW WATER.

(f&ess association teleceam.) WRSTPOIIT. April 24

The Taviuni took tho ground for ward hard and fast. The ar.chor was dropped, but the vessel drifted further inshore. Seas continually broke over her. The port holes wero immediately smashed. and part Ot tho bulwarks carried away. Tho cabins and saloons weie flooded, and tho. steamer listed seaward, making it very difficult to get about tho decks. The crew and the four passengers had a very bad time. An attempt was mace to launch two boats, but both were smashed. Tho tug Mana, landing by. tried to lire lines aboard, but failed." and tho tug. Komata and the Miiponrika could do nothing. Chip's boats wore sent, down to tho srein> by'rail at 0 ->-ui-. ami the passengers" an<l some of the crew were landed on tho beach. The sea was then smooth. . At low water the • Taviuni is practically high and dry. Her rudder is gone. and the prolnvllfr i* biiriod in tho wind. The vessel is half tuil of water, aim nothing can he done till the arrival ot U\Penguin from Wellington with the salvage gear. The vesspl has 100 tons of cargo for Wcstport. and iOO tons ior Crc-yniouth. Capt. lirophy was knocked down on the bridge by' a sex. The two lady passengers (.Misses Suisted j;ud Mason) displayed great courage.