STEAMER MATURED REFLOATED

Evening Star, Issue 18144, 7 December 1922, Page 4

STEAMER MATURED REFLOATED

After being aground in Victoria Channel for twenty-four hours the Ellcrman and Hucknall lino steamer Matoppo was refloated shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday. With the assistance oi the tug Dunedin she then steamed to Port Chalmers, where Hie was berthed about 5.55 p.m. IFortuiiD.'tely the Matoppo made no water, aud has suffered no damage. Tho steamer was considerably lightened yesterday, when about 4,000 cases of benzine and a quantity of iron pipes were discharged from No. 1 hatch into tho coastal steamer Kotare and two pun Us. The Dunedin and the Harbor Board's dredge renewed their efforts about 4.15 p.m., and, aided by Urn flood tide, tho Matoppo came astern into tho channel. Tho Harbor Board’s small steamer Otakau towed the Kota.ro to Port Chalmers, and a start was made this morning to reship the cargo. The vessel is expected to sail this evening for Melbourne and Sydney. Hie channel feeing once more navigable, the Kabika, which had been held at her berth at the cross wharf, sailed at 4.30 p.m. for way ports 'and New Plymouth, and the Union Company's freighter Waihemo got away at 6.15 p.m. for Timaro and Sydney. The Holrndalc, whfdi was detained at Port Chalmers, came up to Dunedin last night, and tho Wingatui and ’Wa.ipori, which had also been compelled to remain at Port Chalmers yesterday, steamed to Dunedin this morning. The •ntranding of the Matoppo has meant a serious delay to all the vessels named.