STRANDING OF THE RUAPEHU

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 April 1937, Page 23 (Supplement)

STRANDING OF THE RUAPEHU

In 1898 the s.s. Ruapehu bound from London to Wellington, stranded in broad daylight on the Farewell sandspit. Mr W. Rogers got news of the stranding late at night and immediately set about making arrangements for the s.s. Waverley, the only steamer immediately available, to proceed to thi assistance of the vessel. It arrived at the scene of the stranding early in the morning, and during the day about seven or eight other steamers also arrived all willing to give assistance, and incidentally to earn salvage. However, it was a case of the “mouse and the lion.” All the steamers with the exception of our little Waverley were too heavy draught to get alongside the stranded vessel, consequently the Waverley was the only means of communication between the Ruapehu and the other steamers, two of which were intended to tow her off when the tide next served. Unfortunately the tow rope became entangled in the propellers of the Waverley, and for a time it was feared that not only would the Waverley be out of action, but that the hawser would be lost. Captain Bendall, acting on behalf of Lloyd’s, endeavoured with the assistance of a boat’s crew to clear the line, but after a considerable buffeting in a heavy sea gave it up as hopeless, and was much upset at the prospect of failure of his plans for getting the Ruapehu afloat. Mr Rogers having gained experience in similar propellor troubles, volunteered to undertake the job, and to make a long story short, went over the side and after a rough time in and out of the water, he got the rope clear, much to the satisfaction of all aboard the Waverley and especially Captain Bendall. The late Mr J. H. Cock, who was one bf the party, later on commemorated the event by presenting Mrs Rogers with a very handsome gold brooch representing a steamer’s propeller entanggled in rope.