ON THE ROCKS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 342, 31 October 1908, Page 5

ON THE ROCKS.

STEAMER HAWEA ASHORE. ROBABIY BECOME A TOTAL WRECK. ' tCCIDENT WHILE CROSSING GREY- : MOUTH BAR. (BX TBLXG&AFH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) , v ■ creymouth, Octomer 30. The s.s. Hawea, 1114 tons, with a cargo of white pine timber, for Adelaide and Launceston, went ashore to-day on the north tip ' head. > 'From present appearances she will probably become a total wreck. -'"There was a heavy sea on the bar, but it was thought that there would bo no danger"'in :the Hawea safely negotiating it. Just as'the vessel was on tho bar, however, . a : huge breaker struck her, which swfept her bow round, and before she could be righted had struck tho rocks on the north breakwater. v•; ;.• • The crew were immediately supplied with lifebelts, and the harbour staff were quickly on;the scene.with life-saving appliances and other necessary gear. '■ The * chains holding the deck; cargo soon broke away, and much danger was occas-ioned-by, the loose timber.. The vessel has 715,000 : superficial feet aboard. ■ The lines from the ship were got ashore shortly after 2 p.m., and the crew were . transferred to the shore in a basket, and.the men's luggage -later. 1 ' - • • • The sea was making all the time, and late in" the afternoon was breaking over the vessel, which had a considerable list to port. ' There seems to be very little chance of saving -her, as already some of the deck fittings have been washed .ashore, besides a quantity of timber. There was much excitement in town, and both tipheads were crowded, watching the rescue work. . , ' '. ._ ' The Hawea is commandod by Captain Burgess, who has traded to ,this port on numerous occasions, and only lately relieved Captain Rcid. .: ; . The following aro the crew: —First mate, H. H. Sandemann-; second mate, W. Campbell; third, W. Consentine; A.B.'s, F. W. Lowell, Arthur Paine, A. Partridge, G.. Gillespie, J. Judge, G. L. Wiles, .J. .B. Irwin, O. S; F. Scott; ohief engineer, J. M'Lean; second engineer, A. C. Carman; third engineer, F. J. Ritson; firemen, N. Hall, F. Hogg, J. Duffy; trimmer,' J. M'lvor; greasers, T. Chumley, C. Poylce, T. Frank; chief steward, S.: A. Moore;.assistant steward, It. Cargill; chief, cook, G. Sutherland; assistant cook, A. Cockle. . Tho timber on tho Hawea,was shipped by Wicks, 1 Limited; to clients in Adelaide and Launceston, and is insured against loss for invoice value. There is 179,000 feet for Launceston, and 534,000 for Adelaide. 'Salvage operations will be. proceeded with vigorously to-morrow; provided the weather is. fine. The sea late to-night shows signs' of moderating. . .. • . ■ The men and officers saved all their belongings. . ■ It was on her last trip from this port that the Hawea broke her tail shaft in the Tasman Sea,- the' repairs and cost of searoh totalling £500.0.' , .

Misfortunes never come singly.: This old saving is very true-in the case of the s.s. Hawea, of the-Union Company's fleet, which it wjll bo remembered had a sensational drift of several weeks recently. The full account of-the drift has already appeared in these columns, and now, on her first return trip to Australia, the vessel has iuet with what will probably bo her last accident. The; Union Company's powerful ocean-go-ing tug was ordered to be in readiness to proceed to the.scene of the.disaster, but last night word was received that her services' .were not required—meaning-that all hopes of refloating' or, 'relaurichiiig -tho''Hawea wore practically abandoned. " ; : .' ■ ■The Hawea was built at Dumbarton in 1897 by Messrs. A: M'Millan and Son, Ltd., and is,, of 2000 tons gross register. Her dimensions are: Length,';26oft.', breadth 36ft., and depth 24ftr She- has'been employed for cargo work, on tho New, Zealand, coast, and has made occasional trips' to Australia when wanted. She is flush decked, and carried full-cargo of <2500 tons, and could steam about 11 knots , ; when loaded. . • . The West Coast bars have been responsible lor many- mishaps. Several months ago the Onion Company's steamer Taviuni went ashore outside Westport. Latest reports received'by the'local branch of the Union tympany announce -that hopes are entertained' * of relaunching this vessel- before Christmas.