MATUA STRIKES REEF

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 68, 17 September 1936, Page 10

MATUA STRIKES REEF

MISHAP AT AITUTAKI

DAMAGE TO STERN

PROCEEDING TO AUCKLAND

On her second trip in the Islands service the Union Steam Ship Company's new motor-ship Matua struck a reef when leaving Aitutaki, Cook Islands, at 8 o'clock last night, and sustained damage to her stem, including the rudder and port propeller. The Matua is proceeding under her own power to Rarotonga to land native labourers, after which she will proceed direct to Auckland.

The Matua would in the ordinary course of events .have visited Atiu and Mauke before returning to Auckland, but these ports have now been omitted. The extent of the damage is not yet known, but should docking be necessary it is understood that the Matua will enter the Calliope Dock at Auckland.

The Matua, a ship of 4180 tons, was built this year by Hawthorn, Leslie, and Co., Ltd., Newcastle. She left Hebburn-on-Tyne on June 27 on her maiden voyage to Auckland, and started her role as a fruit-carrying vessel right from the beginning of her career, loading fruit in the Cook Islands group while en route to New Zealand. Her first trip was made from Auckland on August 27, and she returned to that port on September 9, sailing again the following day for the Cook Islands.

Built to re-establish the regular Islands passenger and cargo service which lapsed in 1932, the Matua is specially equipped for the carriage of fruit. Four of the 'tween > deck compartments and three holds are insulated and fitted with the latest system of air coolers, fans, and air-circulating trunks. She has four decks, including promenade and boat decks, and accommodation is provided for about forty passengers. Driven by twin-screws, she has Sulzer • two-cycle single-acting Diesel engines, and is very fast, her maximum speed on trials being slightly over 17 knots. The Matua is commanded by Captain A. H. Prosser.