STEAMER MANAIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 164, 12 June 1926, Page 9

STEAMER MANAIA

VESSEL BADLY DAMAGED, LITTLE HOPE OF SALVAGE. WATER IN HOLD. Per Pres* Association. AUCKLAND, June 12. But little hope is entertained of salvaging the Manaia, which went ashore near Slipper Island on the trip from Tauranga to Auckland. Advice from Captain Norbury late last night stated that the vessel had been badly holed forward, tho water in the hold is rising rapidly and the vessel’s bow was so far on the reef that there was no immediate danger of her sinking. The sea was smooth. A great deal of cargo in the after holds had been transferred to the scow Motu. A message received 'at 11.15 a.m. stated that the Rimu had taken the crew, excepting five who were staying aboard. NGAPUHTS DASH TO THE SCENE. SOME APPREHENSION FELT. PROMPT RESPONSE TO CALL.

AUCKLAND, Juno 12. The Ngapuhi was stopped off Tiritiri on Thursday night while the officers deciphered a message from a twinkling lamp. Her head was at once turned and a course set for Capo Colville. Although every effort was made by the engine room staff to develop the utmost speed, there was always a feeling on board that they might not be in time to avert serious loss of life. For seven hours the Ngapuhi forged on her southward journey, the forbidding nature of the night and the heavy swell running causing some apprehension as to the chances of getting near enough to the disabled vessel to render As Slipper Island loomed up, all eyes were turned for a view of tho Manaia, but she was away to the south-east. _ It was not until about half-past fnine o’clock yesterday morning that she was 6een. The rescuing steamer approached from the seaward side of the island, and Captain Dorling kept a lead going as ho had foul ground and a line of sunken reefs between his ship and the Manaia. . It was then noted tliat the Manaia was hard and fast on the reef extending out from the south-east point of the island with her bows high on the rocks and her stern riding low in the deep water surrounding the reef. Although she had a slight list, she was perfectly steady, the falling tide having left her firmly aground, although ner engines were being used to prevent her slipping off into deep water. , , . , Captain Dorling brought his vessel up within a mile of tho stranded steamer and learned that the Manaia s passengers were still aboard. It was then about 10 o’clock with tho wind from the north-east, and under these conditions the Manaia was in a comparatively sheltered position. Captain Norbury had taken the precaution to lower .the Manaia’s boats into the water and no time was lost in transporting her passengers to the Ngapuhi. This operation was carried out in tho most orderly manner. Approximately two hours were occupied in effecting the transference and when about 2 p.ih. it was seen that nothing more could be done the Ngapuhi took her departure for Auckland, which she reached shortly before 11 o’clock last evening. . NO SIGNS OF PANIC. PASSENGERS INTERVIEWED. AUCKLAND, June 11. The Ngapuhi reached Auckland with the Manaia’s passengers shortly before eleven o’clock to-night. ' Interviewed the passengers said the wreck was not attended with any sign of panic. The only indication that anything was amiss was a sudden grinding «is the ship piled up on the reef hard and fast. Though all the passengers looked tired, scarcely any showed serious signs of the experience. The passengers said that the Manaia, when they left her at two o’clock this afternoon, had a decided list. The work of salvaging the luggage and cargo was in progress. . “What we need more than anything is sleep,” said on of the passengers. ‘‘None of us has had any. sleep since last night, though some were able to doze for a couple of hours on the rsgapulii.” . The steamer Marama, tor Sydney, was delayed to take those passengers who were coming by the Manaia to join her and who had transferred to the Ngapuhi. The main concern of those transferred to the Marama was the safety of their luggage. This was naturally somewhat disorganised, but the officials worked hard, and few passengers boarded their new ship dissatisfied. All pay tribute to the conduct of the women and children, particularly tlve children, when the ship struck. One passenger remarked that the kiddies just stood by without a murmur. “The luckiest fer.ture of the mishap,” said a member of a theatrical company, was the fine weather. Had there been a south-easterly, there would not have been so many of us to tell the tale.” He added that the general impression was that the Manaia was held up by only one rock. The passage on the Ngapuhi was described as oomfortable, and high tributes were paid to the officers and men of the vessel. STEAMER STANDING BY. TAURANGA, June 12. The steamer Clansman, which arrived from Auckland this morning, observed lights on the Manaia, which are considered to bo oil lights. The steamer Rimu was standing by. It was considered possible that the Manaia’s cargo would be salvaged. The sea was calm. Slipper Island is two miles- off tlie coast from Coromandel Peninsula, four miles south-east from Tairoa Head, and is about 100 miles from Auckland. The Manaia is a wellknown coastal steamer of 115 tons. She was formerly tho Rotoiti, owned by the Union Steam Ship Company., and was purchased some vears ago by the Northern Steamship Company. At present she is engaged in the service between Tauranga and Auckland.

Mr and Mrs J. Stone, of Palmerston North., liavo received advice that their daughter, Miss Eileen Stone, who was a passenger on the Manaia, is safo and well. .