THE ELGINSHIRE DISASTER.

Evening Star, Issue 8771, 11 March 1892, Page 2

THE ELGINSHIRE DISASTER.

TIMARU, March 10.

The Elginshire is stated to be making water as fast as the pumps oan olear it, the pumps being kept going continually. The explanation of the steamer's position on the reef is that going along the coast she struck the reef at the bow, and the momentum carried tho stern round and lifted it two or three feet upon the reef. The steamer is not yet abandoned to the underwriters, Captain Miller still hoping to get her off; but looal experts are of opinion that she oannot be got off even if lightened. REMOVING THE CARGO. March 11. Two tugs pulled at the Elginshire for two hours of the night's tide, but made no impression. The line was again carried away by the ohafe on the ship, but not till the tide had gone down, This morning four. surf boats were taken down to fetoh up the wool, whioh will take two days. The weather is fine, and there is a moderate swell. Captain Miller still holds possession for the owners. Latest. Two hundred bales of wool have arrived from the Elginshire in surf boats. She has some 400 bales of Queensland wool and 200 of Oamaru, 160 casks of pelts, and some preserved meats. All these will be landed by or before midnight, and another pull tried. THE STATE OF THE VESSEL. Mr J. Mill, stevedore, who has just returned from the vessel, states that the tide rises and falls in a small peak. In compartment No. 1, freezing chamber, there are 3,000 sheep, and the water is making. No. 2, whioh is half the ship's lower hold, is full of Queensland meat, and has two feet of water in it, and the main engines are kept going to keep it at that. No. 3, lower hold aft, is dry, and also No. 4, exoept for leakage from the funnel. The vessel is JAMMED BETWEEN TWO ROCKS forwaid, &nd has rocks along both sides, and tbe stern is lifted 2ft to 2£ft above its {iroper level. Mr Mill considers it a hopeess case, but everything oould be got out if the weather keeps fine. An attempt to pump water out between the double bottom showed the outer skin greatly damaged, and the water in No. 2 chamber shows that the rocks have gone through the inner skin as well. Mr Mill sounded all round the ship, and found the rooks all round irregular. He has had great experience among rocks, and declares that the ELGINSHIRE NEVER CAN BE GOT OFF. She is very strong, and may hold together for a long time. A survey will probably be made to morrow. (By Elect bio Telegraph.—Ocfybighb.] [Pbb Pbbss Association. | SYDNEY, March 11. (Received March 11, 1892, at noon.) Thefrczen meat onboard the Elginshire is insured for LIB.OOO in London.