STEAMER AGROUND.

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1922, Page 5

STEAMER AGROUND.

NEAR AUCKLAND. POSITION BELIEVED NOT ' SERIOUS. AUCKLAND, June 26. A wireless message received from the Sugar Company’s steamer Rona at 7.5 p.m. states she is aground on a flat rock near Kawau about 28 miles from Auckland. The forepart only is on the rock, but the hold is full of water. A hulk, some labour and a tug are required to lighten the vessel which is lying quiet. As far as is known the position of the vessel is not very serious. A LATER MESSAGE. The Harbour Board tug left for the scene at 9.45 p.m. to render immediate assistance. She carried fourteen watersiders. Another tug left at 11 p.m. with two sugar lighters in tow, and another with 30 men. A hulk is to leave in the morning with a pulsometer pump, and a relief crew. The Roua was bound from Fiji with 7000 tons of sugar. The weather was showery and there was a light southwest wind. The sea was smooth. The latest message, timed 10.30 p.m., states: “The ship is fast on the rock. Her engines are going ahead to keep her there. She is lying quietly and there is no sea. The hatches are Fastened down in case she slips off at low water. We think she is safe for the present.