PUKAKI STRIKES REEF

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 8

PUKAKI STRIKES REEF

NOT IN DANGEROUS POSITION. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Prow Association, MELBOURNE, July 25, (Received July 25, nt 11.15 a.in.) Advices have been received stating that the I’ukaki, bound from Walpole Island to Dunedin, struck a reef twelve miles from Noumea on Sunday night. The agents consider that (ho vessel is not in an alarming position. A cablegram received by the National Mortgage and Agency Company to-day states that the Australian .steamer I’ukaki went aground ten or twelve miles south of Noumea. The vessel is making no water, and assistance has been sent from Noumea. The J’ukaki was formerly a unit, of the Union Steam Ship Company’s Heel. She was purchased some years ago by Crosby and Swanlon, of Melbourne, ami has made several, voyages to New Zealand ports since with phosphate, cargoes from outlying Pacific Islands. She is of 1.444 tons gross register, and was built at Dumbarton in 1387. The I’nkaki left Sydney about the middle of June for Walpole Island, via Noumea, to load phosphates for Dunedin. She finished loading at the island early in July, and was on her way (o Dunedin when the mishap occurred. The vessel was originally expected to arrive hero towards the end of this week.