VESSEL A TOTAL WRECK

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 4, 6 January 1910, Page 5

VESSEL A TOTAL WRECK

AN UNCHARTED PINNACLE OF

ROCK

RIPS THE VESSEL FROM STEM

TO STERN,

BEACHED JUST IN TIME

INVERCARGILL, Jan. 6. H.M.S. Pioneer arrived at the Bluff at 5.45 to-day with the excursionists and crew of the Waikare, which struck an uncharted pinnacle of rock about half a mile from Indian Island, in Dusky Sound, at 12.15 p.m. on Tuesday. The Waikare, with 290 aboard, had •completed her Sounds excursion, an<! wa» making for the open sea when the disaster occurred and left her a total wreck, stacked up on Stony Island, a couple of miles from the place of contact. The rock appears to have ripped the ship's bottom from stem to stern, and water poured in faster than the pumps and condenser could cope with it.

Oapt. Newton realised the serious nature of the misfortune, and ordered the crew to their boat stations.

The passengers state that, with'one exception there was absolutely nothing in the way of panic or disturbance. With remarkable promptitude the passengers and baggage were safely landed, and Captain Newton decided to beach the vessel in the nearest cove. Stony Island, two miles away, was selected.

With the rapidly increasing inflow of water, wliich extinguished the fires in the stokehold and found its way into the engine-room ; steam had been expended before the island was reached, and the Waikare had only sufficient momentum to strike a shelving reef with holding force. There she took a list, with her stern in deep water, and gradually sank lower by the stern until her port deck was almost flush with the tide. In this position she at present remains. The second mate, Mr Appleyard, made a venturesome voyage in an oil-launch to Puysegur Lighthouse to telephone for assistance.

Stony Island has an area of two square miles and an altitude of 200 feet. It is bush-covered to the edge of_ the cliffs 01^ water, and about 2-J----miles from Indian Island, near which the uncharted rock was encountered.

An inspection of the wreck cony eyed*the impression that the steamer would soon turn turtle and disappear into deep water. The cove where the camp was made comprises_ shelving rock, which was strewn with dunnage, tents, chairs, tables, booms, baggage, and provisions. Cases and tarpaulins were all over the place and up the side of the hill.

Capt. Newton and the first and second officers remained with the vessel, but will probably return by the Moura to-day.