WRECK ON GREY BAR

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 30 May 1932, Page 5

WRECK ON GREY BAR

LOSS OF STEAMER KAPONOA HELD FAST ON ROCKS CREW BROUGHT ASHORE. FITTINGS MAY BE SAVED. XeiegYapli —i/ress Association.,> GREYMOUTH, May 29. The stranded steamer Kaponga has become a total wreck on the Grey bar, where she lies on the rocks with her bow near* the north breakwater. An attempt at salvage failed, and when her position was seen to be hopeless the crew were brought ashore by breeches buoy and line. After the stranding of the vessel on Friday afternoon her position remained unaltered. On Saturday afternoon, on the rising tide, the steamers Komata from inside (he harbour ,and the Kaimai, from outside, were engaged with hawsers in an effort to bring the Kaponga’s bow upstream,_ the idea being if possible, to tow her into port- They moved the vessel round until she faced upstream, but the hull remained fast amidships. , The sea unfortunately rose with tne tide, and from 6 p.m. southerly rollers moved the stranded vessel steadily towards the northern breakwater. It then became evident that there was little change of salvage. About forty tons of the coal had been jettisoned on Saturday afternoon, but it was or no avail. At one stage on Saturday evening, wben the Kaponga’s stem, was free and her engines were working, it was hoped she would be saved, but when the stern line was free the vessel began moving towards the break-, water again. - At about 2.30 a.m. t-o-day the crew began leaving the vessel, and all had abandoned her by 4.20 a.m., using a breeches buoy connected with the north breakwater to come,ashore. . This morning’s tide saw seas washing over the vessel, which. Had developed a considerable list. The engine room was flooded fore and aft, and the bulkheads were stove in. . The crew were able to recover their effects from the wreck, which remains fast by the stem. It is considered tha* probably the deck fittings, winches and other material will be salvaged. The tug Terawhiti was recalled to Wellington overnight before reaching the roadstead. The Kaimai did not subsequently enter port as intended, but went to Westport instead. The channel is now clear, with 21 feet S inches depth of water, and the Komata and Karepo are loading. There will be a preliminary inquiry to-morrow into the circumstances surrounding the wreck.

The Union Company’s cargo steamer Kaponga, wihch is a vessel of 2344 tons gross, was sailing from Greymouth with a full cargo of coal for Auckland when she became stranded on the bar on Friday afternoon. Equipped with three cylinder triple engines _ and a single screw the vessel, which is about six years old, is a sister ship to the Kartigi and the Kiwitea. _ She carries a company of 33, including Captain Gray. Chief OffjQer T. E. Be van. Second Officer W. B. 'Gibson. Third Officer L. Clarke and Chief Eengmeer Dilner.