WRECK OF THE CYRENA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 June 1925, Page 5

WRECK OF THE CYRENA

NAUTICAL INQUIRY OPENED (United Press Association.) WANGANUI. This Day. The nautical inquiry into the wreck of the (.Arena commenced yesterday before Air Barton, S.M.. and Captains Edwin and Barron (assessors). 1 lie evidence of the harbourmaster (Capt. Mclntyre) occupied six hours. This was the only evidence taken. Capt. McIntyre stated that when lie hoarded the (Arena for the purpose of piloting her in Capt. Paterson informed him that tlie steamer was drawing 16 feet 6 indies fore and aft. Witness’s soundings and measurements indicated that there should be. 18 feet 6 inches at high tide. He informed Capt. Paterson that the bar was composed of mud. Capt. Paterson and the pilot were quite satisfied that with 2 feet under the (Arenas bottom it was perfectly safe to take her over the bar considering the sea was smooth. The (Arena grounded gently at 10.40. The engine room telegraph was at full speed ahead in accordance wit’ll the pilot’s instructions, and the estimated pace immediately prior to the grounding was about seven knots, as siie had not had time to gather full speed, which would he about or 10 knots. After the grounding she appeared to be afloat forward about twothirds of her length and fast from there. The second officer took the. lead line, went to the break of tiie forecastle bead, heaved tint lead, and reported 18 feet. He then walked along aft dragging the lead, feeling the bottom all the way, and reported less than 17 feet just forward of the mainmast and 18 ieet. at- the poop. Endeavours were made for some lj hours after grounding to- work her off with the engines, but with no result. A message was sent ashore for lighters and measures were taken to lift the stern. The captain estimated that this would lift the stern by about a foot. With the falling tide a- heavy swell came in from liie southward. At 3 p.m. tilio agent- came off and reported that- it was too rough for lighters to come alongside. At 830 it was found thut- the vessel was maki ig water fast in the after hold and also i:i the forward hold, although the engine room was dry, and the ship’s pumps were unable to cope with the u - flow. From 8.22 the engines were working in an endeavour to shift tlie vess.d but did not move till about 9.6. At 9.46 she began dragging towards the. north mole and had 14 feet of water in the. after hold and 10 feet in the forward hold. An endeavour was made to get- the steamer in between ihe moles, but as she was bumping and dragging all the trine and the wind and seas were forcing her towards the iortl. mole it was decided to beach i or to the north of the north mole. 'i i is manoeuvre was carried out and the captain succeeded in squaring the vessel up before she took the bolt mm more firmly by the stern about a quarter of a .rule to the northward of the north mole. At 9.59 p.m. heavy seas were breaking over the stern and the after part of the ’ easel was working. It would appear linr the vessel was badly damaged on the bar and that the damage was sus'.aiu-'<i about- 8.30 p.m. on Sunday, May 24. As it was then found she v.as l.ipnLy making water she was practi uhy minanageable from the time sli.e got iff the bar. Soundings were -aken . n the bar after the casualty and an o-bstru :- tion was found in the position where the vessel had grounded. This obstrw im was buoyed and tested by means t 1 a spear. It was thought- to he a h g if wood lying on the bottom. A southerly came up later and covered the obstruction with sand and the dredge in an endeavour to remove the sand folded the buoy and carried it away, ;ml tlie obstruction had not since been located. The iuquirv was adjourned. WANGANUI, This Day. The Cyrenti inquiry was continued to-day. Captain If. Johnston, signalman at tho oiloi station, gave evidence as to taking tlie gauge at high water on tho day the vessel foundered. It was perfectly safe to have brought the Cyreiia in that day with two feet of water under her bottom, lie would have considered a foot of water a safe margin that day. The lowest water at the bar at high water should, according to lilt

gauge, have been 18 feet 7 indies, lie considered Captain Patterson, with his vessel drawing 16 feet, was perfectly justified in coming in. The evidence of Captain Paltrrson, of the Cvrena, will be taken this afternoon.