ACCIDENT TO THE RINGAROOMA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4079, 18 August 1884, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO THE RINGAROOMA.

IBY TELEGEAriI.]

Christchurch, I his clay. Tho Eingarooma struck on tho rocks off Akaroa Heads yesterday morning during a thick fog. She got off and came on to Lyttclton. An examination of the Ringarooma showed that four or five plates on tho port side, about the bilge, are dented, 14 feet of tho keel and fore-foot, and about 10 foot of her stern, with a proportionate quantity of that part of the vessel, comprising the collision. The bulkheads arc carried away. Capt. Tozer's report states: — "Sailed from Port Chalmers at 4.15 p.m. on Friday, and crossed the bar at 5.20 p.m., the weather being fine. Nothing of note occurred till 11 p.m., when the fog commenced to rise. At midnight ordered the fog whistle to' be kept going, and examined the patent log, which showed a record of 72 miles. At 3 a.m. it showed 107 miles. At 4 a.m., the fog having become very dense, put the engine at " dead slow." At 5 a.m. the log was again examined, and recorded 115 miles. Altered the course half a point off to clear the land, the fog being still very thick. At 5.50 a.m. the vessel struck. Immediately sounded tho hold and found no water cither in the main or after compartments. Had the boats swung out and provisioned, and put all tho passengers, mail bags, and whatever valuables were on board into the boats. Tho second officer was put in charge of one, and the other was under the care of tho purser. These were ordered to proceed towards Akaroa southward and gain the harbour. After tho boats, had left and got well clear made the first attempt to get her off. Put tho engines "full speed astern," but without success, so stopped them. After a few minutes again tried tho engines astern, and with better effect, the steamer coming off. On getting her afloat tried her again and found she was making no water, so stopped the boats, calling them back, and took thorn aboard, with tho passengers and mails. Shaped a course for Lyttclton, the weather still continuing very thick, and arrived at Lyttelton wharf without mishap at 1 p.m.

Tho Chamber of Commerce have telegraphed to Mr Montgomery, M.H.R., suggestions as to Akaroa heads, namely, that it should be connected with a telegraph station, as, in addition to the Ringarooma affair several accidents have occurred in the vicinity. Wellington, This day. With reference to the Ringarooma going ashore at Akaroa it is believed she sustained such damage to her hull that she could not leave Lyttelton on Saturday night. It has accordingly been arranged that the Rotorua, which left Wellington at 1 p.m. on Saturday for Lyttelton and Dunedin, shall turn back from Lyttclton immediately on arrival, bringing up tho mails and passengers. Tho little steamer Moa, from Wellington to Foxton, met with an accident on Saturday when off the Foxton bar. She was disabled by the bursting of the cylinder cover of her port engine, and was towed into Foxton by tho steamer Jane Douglas. Tho Wakatipu arrived from Sydney yesterday afternoon, and a strict examination of her passengers, crow. &c, was made by the health officer. Tho Rotomahana, from Sydney via Auckland, was also inspected yesterday morning. In both cases tho examinations were satisfactory.