WHALER STRIKES ROCK

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1928, Page 5

WHALER STRIKES ROCK

NEAR STEWART ISLAND C. A. Larsen Sinking MILLION STERLING CARGO ABOARD. INVERCARGILL. February 21. A message was received from Half Moon Bay, Stewart Island, late to-night that the C.A. Larsen, the 1700 ton mother ship of the Ross Sea Whaling Fleet, went ashore between Faro IsIn id and the neck of Stewart Island, w #!• proceeding up Paterson’s Inlet io her base at Price’s Bay. k Sht has just returned from a three ghuiPhs’ whaling expedition in the Ross fe?a, and is carrying over 80,000 barrels of whale oil, estimated at one million sterling. It is understood that the steering gear failed when a strong tide carried the vessel inshore. She struck a rock, which tore a hole in numbers ten, eleven and twelve tanks forward. Five chasm's went to her assistance. ami towed the boat up the inlet, stern first. The C. A. Larsen has a heavy list, and is filling rapidly, her bows being almost flush with the sea, ami stern high from the water. The cargo will have to be transhipped, am! it is stated that she will be UDable to nt urn to Norway this year. Towing operations are still in progress.