THE OPOURI ASHORE

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3337, 5 September 1917, Page 4

THE OPOURI ASHORE

A GREYMOUTH EPISODE

Greymouth, Sept. 4. The steamer Opouii ran ashore at 11.30 o'clock last night, whilst attempting to make port. The sea had been rough all day, and shipping was practically at a standstill. In crossing the bar, the Opoiui's steering gear failed to swing her round. She was carried on to the northt breakwater and over into the small bight between the inner and outer walls. On striking the staging of the old wall, three of her crew clambered ashore and held on to the sta- ' ging. The staging gave way, and the men were precipitated into the water. But they got safely ashore again. The vessel soon became hard and fast. The rest of the crew got ashore without seriotis difficulty. The Opouri is now high and dry. An attempt will be made to refloat her , at noon, but there are no great hopes • held out as to its success. The whole of the engineroom coal and the bunker coal was washed out. The vessel carried a general cargo.