STEAMER ON ROCKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1931, Page 8

STEAMER ON ROCKS

MISHAP NEAR CAPE PALLISER. [FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, November S. About 2 p.m.. yesterday, the Richardson Coy’s steamer “Pakura,” ran on the rocks a few miles north of Cape Palliser. To-day she was salvaged by the tug “Toia.” She is now being towed to port by the tug. The “Pakura” was making for the roadstead to load wool from Riddiford Bros, station, when she struck a reef about half a mile from the shore. The vessel was found to be hard and fast, and wireless messages were sent for assistance. The sea was not rough and some of the crew came ashore in a boat. Afterwards they returned. The tug “Toia” arrived off the stranded vessel after midnight. The “Parera,” another Richardson vessel, which left Lyttelton on Saturday night, arrived on lhe scene before noon.

s At 1 p.m., to-day the “Pakura” floated off the reef, and the “Toia” commenced to tow her to Wellington. Unsuccessful attempts to float her off were made about 2 a.m. The reef on which the vessel struck is about half a mile off the shore. Shortly before high tide this afternoon, the “Toia” put a strain on the tow rope, and the swell released the “Pakura.” The stranded vessel apparently is not seriously damaged, and did not appear to be making any water when the tow commenced. The crew of the “Pakura” has been transferred to the “Toia” for safety prior to her release, but after the vessel was clear of the reef, the hands returned. The Anchor Line vessel “Orepnki,” and the “Parera” were standing by when the “Pakura” was floated.