TUTANEKAI SUNK

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 112, 5 February 1931, Page 14

TUTANEKAI SUNK

The Last Moments OLD SERVANT’S END After nearly 34 years of service, the old Government lighthouse steamer Tutanekai was scuttled in Oook Strait yesterday morning. There had been a large gang of men working on her on Tuesday stripping her of the last few things that were worth removing, the teakwood houses were lifted bodily off the vessel, and when she was handed over to be scuttled she presented a sorry sight. . At 6 a.m. yesterday the Tutanekai left in tow of the Janie SetlFn. A strong north-westerly wind and choppy seas were encountered off Pencarrow and were experienced until the two ships arrived at the position—three miles south-east of Taurakirae, in 187 fathoms of water—that bad been selected as the TutaneaThe° towiine was then slipped and ar; rangements made aboard the Tutanekai to place and fire the charge that was to send the old ship to her doom. The charge, which consisted of 20 pounds of gelignite, was placed on the shell of the ship in the after-hold. Although there was a strong breeze and choppy sea, by skilful handling the Janie Seddon was brought alongside the Tutanekai and took off the crew which had piloted her out. At 10 a.m, an officer of the Marine Department. who was in charge of the operations, set off the fuse and took a hasty farewell of the old ship, while the Janie Seddon cast off and watched developmeinS'spite of the efforts of the shipbreakers, the old vessel still looked well from the deck of the Janie Seddon, a short distance off. and rode the seas as well as ever. , At 10.15 a.m. there was a dull explosion and a sheet of flame from the afterhold, which caused great consternation among the seagulls, signified that the charge had done its work. The Tutanekai sctled down quietly by the stern on an even keel. Ten minutes after the explosion the after-deck was awash, bhe then seemed to recover momentarily, then quietly she tilted till the stem rose from the water and disappeared quietly beneath the waves. 14 minutes after the charge had been fired, with the New Zealand Government ensign still flying. The Janie Seddon blew a farewell on her whistle while her ensign was kept at half-mast. Then, turning back, she arrived at Wellington shortly after one o’clock.