Casualty at Sea.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 206, 6 August 1883, Page 2

Casualty at Sea.

STEAMER ROTOMAHANA STRUCK ON THE WAIPAPA POINT.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

[PEfi UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION]. Wellington, August 4. The surrey held on the Rotomahana shows no perceptible damage, except that the propel er is broken. The accident happened at a quarter to four. The vessel was then supposed to be entering the middle of Foaveaux Strait, about four miles clear of land, steering a course to clear Waipapa. When the vessel struck, the second mate was m charge on the bridge. The night was clear, but there was a haza over the land, with a light southerly wind, but a heavy roll from southward . She struck about a mile an l a half .oS the land, and r e mained there an hour, bumpin? lightly. The engines were put full speed astern without moving her, and full speed ahead was then tried with the same result. Then a heavy swell rolled m, and made her bump once very heavily. Then a second swell lifted her off the rocks, and she steamed clear. The boats were all got ready, and life belts served out to the crew and passengers, although the steerage passengers complained that no iifa-belts were m the steerage, and several had to go down into the saloon and take out a saoon berth complete. There was perfect order on board, and Captain Carey was quite master of the situation, order* ing everything to be done without con fusion. The sea was quite smooth, with a heavy swell, bat no break. The Otara reef was visible outside the position of the vessel, as well as between her and the shore. She sails for Fort Chalmers ab 3 p.m. The southerly swell throughout the night, and the strong spring flood tide, it is surmised, set her further m shore than was expected,