SERIOUS MISHAP.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 169, 29 July 1901, Page 2

SERIOUS MISHAP.

A TYSER LINER STRIKES ROCK.

A serious nautical mishap occurred in the bay on Saturday night. The Tyser liner Totnoana (Captain Child), while riding at anchor, bumped heavily against a rock, and before sho could be removed again bumped heavily. On arrival in tho roadstead the vessel had been anchored in nine fathoms of water, almost in the fairway. On Saturday morning, owing to the heavy sea, tho vessel was shifted out a quarter of a mile to a place which from the chart would appear to be perfectly safe, with ten fathoms of water. Tho heavy rain affected the working of tho cargo. Two barges of meat were brought out, huthad to bo taken back again owing to tho weather. At 4.80 p.m. Captain Child came into town. An hour later, at 5.30, tho vessel humped heavily (as stated above). Orders woro at once given for tho steamer to bo shifted, and that was done as quickly as possible, but beforo it was accomplished the steamer again bumped heavily. There was a slightswell on at tho time. The vessel was drawing 26ft aft and 18.0 forward. Tho effect of the mishap was that the steamer was taking in wator through tho ballast tanks, or tho double bottom. Tho quantity of leakago did not increase, so that there was no immodiato danger. Yesterday tho chief agents were communicated with, and as there are no appliances in Gisborne for tho extent of the damage to be ascertained, it was decided that the vessel should go on to Napier hist night, to be thore examined, and then if necessary she will proceed to Lyttelton to dock. There has been no apparent damage to tho cargo. Tho exact bearings of tho spot wevo taken, so that there will bo no difficulty in locating the site of tho mishap. In connection with the affair it has transpired that sometime ago another largo vessel bumped at about tho samo spot-, but information of the affair does not appear to havo been given as a warning to other mariners.

The affair shows tho necessity of an immediate re-survey of the bay, and it is to be hoped that the Government will take the matter in hand without further delay. An occurrence of tho kind is very damaging to tho port-, and it is very necessary that tho ground should bo shown on tho chart.

Associated with Captain Child arc tho following deck officers :—Chief, Mr Hollis : second, Mr Drake ; third, Mr Compton ; fourth, Mr Sowdon. Mr Chappcl is in charge of the engino department, and has with him Messrs J. McDonald, S. Birkenshaw, and Sadler, Messrs Findley and Higgs being the refrigerating engineers.