IN BLINDING RAIN

Evening Star, Issue 19275, 14 June 1926, Page 5

IN BLINDING RAIN

PW MANAIA STRUCK BOILERS FIRED TO LAST DEVOTION OF STOKE K 3. [Per United Press Association.} AUCKLAND, June 12. Captain Norbury. master of the Man* aia, says the steamer struck the rocks during a blinding rainstorm. Ine passengers behaved splendidly. At, first he thought it possible that the ship might slide hack into deep iratei, so he kep[ the screws going; but now that, she had settled down on the rocks thor* was no eliaitce of her slipping of. Tho weather is now ideal tor salvage "' orll ' to 13. The steamer Rinni arrived back from the wreck of tho Manaia this morning, bringing all the members of the crew to Auckland. After the transfer of the passengers to the Ngapuhi at 2 o’clock on Friday afternoon tJio situation of tho Manaia became hopeless. A long swell caused the ill-fated ship to heave and grind, every movement aggravating the damage done to her Dows and increasing the inrush of water. Both the port and starboard engines wore kept running ahead, as it was loaned, the heavy swell might cany the vessel back into deep water. Early on Friday afternoon the water in the forehold, which had been increasing since the ship struck, got out of hand. At 4 p.m. the water spread to the engine room and after-hold. Every pump was running up to full capacity, but the water still rose. At 5 o'clock the position became critical. '1 fie sinkers were working knee-deep water to maintain a head of steam the engines, and the engineers were toiling in tho rising water, which washed about the machinery and gathered a thick film of oil on its surface.

Shortly after 6 o’clock the furnaces were fired for tbo Inst time, and the stokehold was vacated as t he water rose round tho boilers. Within a few minutes the furnaces were by flooding, and at 6.20 n.m. the Manain’s engines stopped for the first time since she struck.

Wireless communication was kept up with the Rimn, and as the bolds were now filled all tho crow left in boats for the Rimu, with the exception of the captain, the chief steward, the first mate, and tho chief enginer, who spent the night aboard. They were in touch with the Rimn by wireless, however, and could have loft if the unexpected happened. Salvage operations commenced on Saturday morning. Four lifeboats were kept in operation between the Rimu and the Mnnain. The salvage gang first cleared all the portable equipment, and then attacked tho fixtures with sledge-hammers and cold chisels. r lne saloon and the cabins were, cleared of furniture. The engineers spent tho day removing small machine fittings, etc. Tho only cargo not removed is a Jew cases of fruit in the front bold.

The Alannia is now bumping with the rise and fall of the tide. There is practically no hope of getting her off. Good work was done by tbo crow of tho steamer Rimu, and all were weary when the operations were completed.

Statements made by the crew of tbo wrecked steamer bear out the stories of the passengers already given.

The members of tho crew were boused forward, and when tho ship struck some wore thrown from their hunks, but no one was injured. They all saved their personal effects.

For one-third of the ALnnaia’s length there arc masses of rock on both sides. The rest of the ship overhangs clear water. At low water iho bow is aimo.-u high and dry. If a heavy swell comes tho vessel will swing on her bow ami her plates will be opened.