UNION CO. COLLIER ASHORE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2683, 1 February 1916, Page 6

UNION CO. COLLIER ASHORE

AT PEKCARROW HEM

STRIKES THE ROCKS DURING HEAVY FOG NO. 1 HOLD FULL OF WATER While trying to make Wellington Heads from Westport at o a.m. yesterday the Union Company's collier Komata, 1994 tons, Captain Carey, went ashore in a little bay about aquarter or half a mile to seaward of tho wrecked steamer Devon at Poncarrow Heads. There was an exceptionally heavy fog in Cook Strait at tho time, and despite all attempts to refloat tho vessel she remained hard and fast.

The tug Terawhiti and the WestCoast trader Arahura were dispatched to the scene of the accident as soon as convenient. It was found that -the Komata was in deep water with her stern resting on a small reef of rocks. Tho Terawhiti was able to go right alongside, and the work of salvage was at once commenced. A gang of about 70 men commenced to discharge the coal from No. 1 hold into the sea. Meantimo a stout wire hawser was placed on board the Komata, and a kedge anchor was carried out to sea by the Terawhiti. Another line was made fast to the Komata, and her engines were set going "full astern." At the same time the winches hauled on the line attached to the kedge anchor, and the Terawhiti endeavoured to tow the Komata off. It was no use, however, and tho vessel remained hard and fast. The fog, which up to this time had been intermittent, came down in a thick 1 cloud, blotting out everything.. At its thickest, objects could not be seen ,a. ship's length away. After several vain attempts both the Terawhiti and 1 the Arahura were compelled to return to port on account of the fog. :

It was ascertained that the Komata was making water forward fast. Her No. 1 hold and fore-peak were full of water. Two or three steamers belonging to the Union Company's fleet and the Terawhiti left for the scene of the accident last night, and it was hoped to refloat the Komata at high t-idp (1 a.m.) this morning. _At a quarter to two this morning the Komata was still on the rocks, the work of refloating her having proceeded all night under fairly good conditions. Tho Komata is of 1994 tons, under the command of Captain John Carey, formerly of tho Mapourika. She was built on the Tyne in 1907 for the Union Steam Ship Comnany, and has been running in the West Coast coal trade for some years past. She is 286 ft. long by 42ft. beam and 18ft. sin. deep, and is a particularly handy type of vessel for the work she has to do.

Captain Carey lias with liirn the following officers:—First, Mr.- J. Hnprhan: second. Mr. H. E. Schmidt; third.rMr. P. Harris; chief engineer, Mr. \Y. J. Cannon: second, Sir. W. Norris; third, Mr. G. Rennie.