A HOME TRACER ASHORE

Evening Star, Issue 8769, 9 March 1892, Page 2

A HOME TRACER ASHORE

(Pbb United Panes AsaoounoK.] TIMARU, Mabch 9. The 8.8. Elginshire, Some linor, due here rom Oamaru this morning, Ib reported ashore at Normanby, nine miles south of Timaru. There is a thick fog over the sea, and a moderate swell on.

The Elginshire struok on a reef between 5 and 6 a.m., half a mile from the shore. A platelayer at Normanby states that he heard a whistle olose in, and that he went to the beach and saw a steamer heading for the Bbore. He sung out to her to hold where she was, and the steamer turned about, and appears to have gone straight on the reef. The tug is assisting the engines, but at high tide (11.30) had not moved her, though the vessel moves on the swell, It is stated that she oan be heard by those oh shore grating on the rocks. ~ , LAteb. The, Elginshire, a vessel of 4,579 tons and of 3,000 horse power, was commanded by Captain Millar, R.N.R., and left Oamarn about midnight for Timaru. There was a dense fog along the coast, and the vessel got off her oohrse landward; She was observed off Normanby going along olobo to the beaoh by a platelayer, who ran down and sang out to her. He was asked where they were, and he told them five miles south of Timaru, and to stand out to sea. Southward from that rt a straight and olean beaoh, just north the Dolerite Reef, runs out, and the iteamer, turning her head seaward, went on this. The news was brought into town by a horseman. The tug Mana was then outside in the fog looking for the steamer. About 10 a,m. the fog cleared, and the harbor-master, who was on the tog, was informed of the aooident by Mr Bullock, the ship's agent here, who went la a boat to look for the tug. The Mana went straight away to Normanby, passed a steel hawser, and tried to help the steamer over the reef. She moved very slightly at high water, and at latest report was passing a tow rope to the stern to try and pull her back.

There is no news from the vessels yet, only what has been observed from the shore. The steamer is on a reef only 200 yds or so, and not half a mile, from the shore. It is not known here what oargo is on board. The Elginshire oame from the North to Oamaru, and was probably nearly full. It is expeoted that the cargo will have to be jettisoned if the vessel oannot be floated off by the stern tow line. There is too much surf on the beach for safe landing by boat, hence there is no news from the vessel.

The following telegram, received by Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co, from the manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Co., Timaru, has been placed at our disposal:—" Have just (1.55 p.m.) returned from Elginshire. The veßsel ia hard aground, and the Timaru tug is making ho impression. There is no communication with the shore." A later telegram says:— "Tug juat returned from Elginshire. Vessel making wator. Another attempt will bo made at midnight (high water) to move her."

It is understood that the Elginshire was insured in European offices. She was on her maiden trip. The Elginshire is one of the latost additions to the Shire Line (Messrs Turnbull, Martin, and Co., managers) and was built by Messrs C. S. Hunter, of Newcastle. Her dimensions are: Length, 364 ft; breadth, 48ft lin; with a depth of hold of 33ft. This gives her a net tonnage of 2,980 tons, with a groas of 4 580. Her engines were built by the Walleend Shipping Company, and are of the triple expansion type, with a nominal power of 450 h.p., and work up to 2,400. The vessel is fitted with a refrigerator of the latest and most approved pattern. It was built by Lightfoot, of London, and is known as the duplex dry air machine. Each machine is capable of delivering 90,000 cubic feet per hour, or a total of 180,000 of cold air. The fore and main holds arc insulated, and have a net capacity of 133,498 cubic leet. Thin will enable hor to carry 1,668 tons of beef or 1,112 tons of mutton. The remainder of the ship is reserved for general cargo ; and it is estimated to carry 7,500 bales of wool, or its equivalent. The Elginshire flies the blue ensign, and is commanded by Lieutenant W. A. Millar, R.N.R. (late of the s.s. Fifeshire), who has been connected with the frozen meat industry since its inception. Captain Miliar has with him Mr Simmons as chief officer; Mr Hart, second ; Mr Langford, third ; Mr Norman, fourth. Mr James Small (late of the steamer Fifeshire) has charge of the machinery department, and with bim are associated five engineers. Although primarily intended as a cargo carrier, the Elginshire is fitted with a very elegant saloon, and has very superior accommodation for a limited number of passengers. Of the voyage, Captain Millar reports leaving London on the morning of November 11, and on the following day experienced a hurricane of unusual force, in which the ship Benvenue waß lost, After calling at Las Palmas to replenish her bunkers, a departure was taken for Adelaide, which was reached at the end of December. Sydney was readied on January 10, and a departure taken for Rochampton on the 11th inst. at midnight. The vessel was moored at the mouth of the Fitzroy River for the purpose of taking on board her Rockhampton oargo, which consisted of 12,416 caroasses of mutton, 2,529 quarters of beef, 107 sundries of meat, and 180 tons of general cargo. The Elginshire took on board at Oamaru for London 11,029 carcasses mutton, 223 bales wool, 30 casks pelts, 11 sacks hides, 4 sacks bones, and 4 cases sundries. She left Oimaru at midnight for Timaru, and wai to have finally taken her departure for London from Port Chalmers on Wednesday next.