THE WRECK OF THE HAWEA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume x, Issue 1958, 18 June 1888, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE HAWEA.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, June 15.

Captain Bendall wires from New Plymouth to the Underwriters' Association : " Boarded the Hawea this morning, and found the hottom caved in under the engine room, the funnel carried away, and the deck statted. The upper work is holding together yet, but will break up shortly. A heavy swell is causing the vessel to work through the sand on to a rocky bottom."

The Union Company have decided to abandon all hopes of floating the stranded vessel, and the local agent, Mr. Newman, is now awaiting instructions re the sale of her. Nothing defiuite can be stated until the reply to Mr. Newman'B telegram of Friday has been received. Slowly, but surely, the ill-fated steamer is succumbing to the inevitable result of a stranded ship, the first noticeable sign of a collapse taking place beiDg on Thursday night, when her funnel, whether by the bumping of the vessel, or by the effects of a continuous force of water playing on it, has been completely carried away. Her bottom is reported to be breaking up, and so scon as that has been accomplished a total collapse will be tbe immediate result of the stranding of the s.s. Hawea. Her dimensions were : — Length 215 f t; breadth, 27ft; depth, 14ft. She was fitted up with compound engines, of 850 horse power, which gave her an average speed of 11 knots an hour. She was an iron steamer, of 721 tons gross register, and built to the order of the company by Messrs Denney Bros., at Dumbarton, in 1875. She was captained on her voyage out by Captain Wheele. Up till 10 p.m. on Friday night, Captain Bendall had not received any instructions from the Underwriters' Association as to what course to proceed regarding the disposal of the Hawea, but it is more than probable that she will be put up to auction on Wednesday next. The diver, who has been sent ud under the direction of the Underwriters' Association to ascertain the damage done, arrived by the through train on Friday night.