WRECK OF THE TONGARIRO

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13662, 2 September 1916, Page 6

WRECK OF THE TONGARIRO

HOW THE VESSEL STRUCK,

A TREMENDOUS CRASH,

' EXPERIENCES OF THE SHIP'S COMjPANY,

(Per Presa Association)

NAPIER, Angus) .11

A full account of the wreck of the Tongariro was available in Napier when the, Westralia arrived from (lisborne at 7.30 a.m. to-day, with the crew of the Tongariro oii board, The Westralia had arrived on the scene of the wreck shortly after ten o'clock the previous night, and after picking up the crew steamed at full speed l for Napier. From the accounts furnished by 'the crew, the Tongariro struck a pinnacle qlf Bull Rocks at seven minutes to seven o'clock last night. There was a terrific crash, a violent grinding noise, and the vessel immediately commenced to heel over. The engines were reversed, but the vessel did not move, Had the Tonga'riro moved off. the rock there is nn doubt that in '-the condition she was in she would have immediately sunk in the deep water surmi'nding'the pinnacle,

Although the vessel heeled over and commenced to settle down, there was little excitement on deck. With the exception of two or three boats thathad been 'smashed, and one that had broken away from the davits, all the boats were launched, and by the time the few men struggling in the water had been rescued, all were safely off the vessel'. The crew lost all their personal belongings, some of the men being rescued in the scantiest attire, [The ofCects of the passengers •and crew were subsequently recovered by the.Koutunui.'J

The captain and several of the crew stood by the vessel all night in the Koutunui, and were expected to arrive in Napier to-night. When 'the Koutunui arrives, it will be known to what extent tho cargo can be salved.

■ Members of the .crew stated that the vessel had been hugging the shore up to the time of striking, this being due to the fact that word was received from Wellington that the Tongariro had to make the journey-to Wellington as rapidly as possible. Gpod Steaming.

Interviewed by a reporter hnmcrttalely on arrival, Captain Easton, of the Westralia, stated that while lying in the Gisborne roadstead on Wednesday night thoy received the "5.0.5." call to about eight o'clock, Fifteen minutos later they were making for tho vicinity at Bull Rock at full-speed, with fires "banked," boats swung out on- tho davits, and the, ilarelights in readiness, The vessel arrived on the scene of the wreck at 10,90 p,m„ doing tho journey (US miles) in about two and n-half hours, On arrival there tho Koutunui was observed, lying alongside, and she signalled to the Westralia that the erow wore safe-aboard. The Tongariro then had a big list to port,,and tho swoll was breaking over the nose of tho vessol.Tlie Qsew at Napier.

A large crowd was gathorod on the Glasgow wharf when tlio Wostralln arrived at 7.50 a.m. .From tho wharf the Tongariro's crow could be seen grouped on the Westralia's deck. They were scantily clad, and lookod cold and miserable. The gangway was loworod and tho crow—7B In number—lllod on to the wharf to have their names taken, It was a unique spectacle to,see the shivering seamen grouped the three ranks to answer the roll-call—from the small, delicate-looking apprentice to the burly, soot-covered stoker, Here was a steward, clad only in his pyjamas; there a small apprentice- shiverpd, with nothing on but a pair of white trousers and a dressing gP«'|i which had been given to him by a thoughtful pn.sspi.igßr on the Westral-ia. An Spited Negro. .

Included among the crew of the Tongariro were a number of American negroos, who were picked up at Colon, on the Panama Isthmus, These men became violently excited when the vessel struck, and according to the story told by another member of the crew, itwas found necessary to deal with one harshly and quite effectively. The iiogrp'hfid fallen into the watpr, and, finding himself in diiUculUos, grapplod with nnother seaman who was In a liko predlcnment. There.was an oxcitlng struggle In the water, which would in all probability have meant the.end of both but for the timely arrival of a launch, Tho rescuing party saw prompt measures were necessary, and a seamen swung ; his oar-on to the.ncgro's head, By the time the white man had been pulled into the boat • the negro had come to. ithe ■ surface., n||d W bundlod in aft (ir Mm, lie gave no further trouble after this. An interrupted Bath,

Another youthful momlier of tllfl prow lnwl n snmpwlint oxoitlng experience "I was having a bath," he said, "when I heard the noise, and

never stopped to think what it,was, but bounded to the deck," lie remained in nature's garb through all the exciting experiences that followed, lie felt wanner when, some hours'lnter, he was supplied with clothing on board the Kontunui. A Firem'an's Account,

The following interesting description was i'uniishod by ii liromnu;— . "T was on watch in tlit* stokehold irm -I till 8 p.m., with three others. All of a sudden I fell: a tremendous shock, accompanied by a crash. Two Jowl crashes followed ns the vessel bumped liighcr on the rocks. The leading fireman said 'Don't rush,' and a minute later one of the engineers told us to get up on deck, f rushed up the 'fiddley' (iron ladders leading to the deck) and the other three went up by tlie engiiie-i'ooni, The lights wen).out, leaving everything in darkness. There were, two trimmers in the hunkers. I don't know how they man.ngod to escape, but they did.' _' "When we got on deck, we were ordered to the boats, which we got ready to launch. Every now and again' the vessel kept tilting more and more over to the port side. Then we sighted the Koiihiniii, •which-, put off. a motor launch. All the time we stood by the .boats wailing for orders,. One of the boats put off just 'before the launch arrived, and the others followed, Boats Break Away from the Davits. '■'Tn.the meantime t,wo boats broke broke away from the davits causing four or five men to-fnll into the water, One of them hurt his leg. "When we picked them up the men were unconscious, but tliey.soon recovered, It was said that the boats were lowered without orders, We had a full head of steam on when the vessel struck, which suddenly blow off from the Safety.valve causing a terrible noise that lasted quite ten 'minutes, and prevented any orders being heard. Heavy List .to Port, "A fairly strong whid sprang up after we struck, and there' was n heavy mvpll. When we left the ship at about 10.30—she struck about 7 o'clock -the steamer was listing heavily to port.

Three Parts Full of Water,

"Tlio engine-room was I lien full of water, and the whole vessel was about three parts full of water. If the wind had been from the opposite direction we should not have been here now. One fellow had a phonograph going, at the time we struck, and it was sent right into the cabin by, the shock. hut-it still went on playing, i Wo had a stewardess on board, who kept as calm as you like. She was the lirst to be put in the' boats. The captain was the Inst to.leave the vessel, '\ A Tremendous Crash.

A member of the crew alfircd sranpiefnrosqncly, gave the following account of the wreck: "It was a fine night, Wo know .nothing until there was a tremendous crash, and the vessel was on the rocks, Holds 1, 2, and I!, and the'en.-iue-rooiii, were soon full of water. 'The boats were'immediately <got out. and when the crew left the ship the port aft main deck was awash'. There is absolutely no chnnce for the vessel, ami as soon as she slips off the rock, which

she must do in I lie first, rough weallior, she will go flown inlo deep mil or.

Lost £GO in Gold,

One of Ihe cooks on the wrecked ve.-Ki'l was tlic only man l» his luggage logi'lher. He deposited his boxes in one of the bonis, and then went away for somi' other purpose. On his return lie found, to his dismay, Ihal the crew hail thrown overboard his baggage, and, incidentally, £GO in-hard-earned cash. DIFFICULTIES OP SALVAGE. NO POWER ON VESSEL, (I'nr Press Association,) WELLINGTON,'September 1. The local manager of the' New Zealand Shipping Company was advised tonight thai the salvage 'of the Tongarirn's cargo presents a grave difficulty, owing to the fact Hint no steamer is able lo get alongside. All the goods must be moved by hand and transferred to surf boats, There is no power available on Hip ship, Fifty-one packages of bullion have been saved, also the live stock consisting of a bitch and live pups, consigned to Wellington and a crate of canaries for Lyttelton.

' A peculiar position has arisen, affecting the crew, owing to the fact tlnl the vessel's articles are still ahon'l. Most of: Hip crew are in WolliugUn and want to go to now jobs, but they cannot sign on another, ship until they sign off the'Tongariro, The articles are expected here by next Tuesday. If the siia keeps calm, it is hoped good progress wilt bo made with thcsaivagC but if the wealher comes up from the north or east, the ship-may slip off into deep water,

LATEST REPORTS. "VESSEL "HIGH.AND DAY,"' (Per Fross Association.) WELLINGTON, September 1, ' ■ The Secretary of the Post Office has received a iolosiram from the Postmaster at Wainm to Hie ofi'oot that Mr Ormmid, of Maliia, reports that the Toiipinro is liijrli and dry on Bull Hock at Inw water, a'ml that several small .steamers are working at her.

VESSEL SLOWLY SINKING, • HOPELESSLY WRECKED, SALVAGE OPERATIONS CEASE; IVpy Press Associnlion.) The small steamships- Weka, Ahnriri, Fanny, Twiiilmiiii and Tn Atu are all .engaged in lightering operations af the scene of Ihe wreck of the Tonga'riro. NAPIKH, Sept. 1 (11.5?. p.m.) ThihY Arnha arrived at 11 p.m. from the wreck .to-night, bringing the petty officers and same of the crew, the captain, chief oliicor and chief engineer remain on itie scene.' A member nf the crew slates that the vessel was travelling at twelve knots when she struck. She ran between three rocks. The vessel- is now sinking slowly, and the sen is rising. She is expected In break up or slip off by the end of the week. The big split, right down from the bow slant of the

deck lius increased, and Hie water is now over the starboard side. Lighten in}; operations haw ceased owing to tho rough sen, The engine room and some, of the holds lire Hooded./ No cargo can be salvaged. It would be useless as it is spoilt in any case, Relief vessels are still standing by.

VESSEL ABANDONED. FAST ON THE BOCKS. 'WELLINGTON, August 31,"pi A mpssngo telephoned from > reports that the Tongariro is, abajr doneil, and IliaLlhe Wcstralia is taking I lie crew tn Napier. The Kotumii is, standing by, Nos.l 2, nml :i holds) ami tho engino rooin are Hooded, The steamer is fast on the rocks forward, with twenlv-live fathoms of water ■ aft. , ' • The Koulunui has the captain, officers and six men on board.

THE CASGO. OHBTSTCHURCH, August 31. ,< The Tongariro's cargo for Lyttelton includes stationery, periodicals, large quantities of rubber and motor goods-,, paint, pig iron, iron bolts, bars, nuts, hardware, pianos, seeds, manure, cotton goods, machinery, essences, oil, wine, wollen goods, bottles, glassware, chemicals, drugs, bicycles and parts, wearing apparel, boots, shoes, agricultural machinery, chocolate, fi'Kl reels of news printing paper,' and other paper/ DUNEDIN, September 1. Several softgoods firms who lost cargo in the Bangatira had their repeated orders on the Tongariro, and thus suffer double loss by delay. •■ 1

Aii estimate by a gentleman connected with a local insurance o,f the value of the hull and cargo and the ship at the time of her striking is £400,000. ' ' No details as to insurance were available yesterday, but it will probably be found that the risks are distributed mi|onp[ the' various companies doing ■ business in New Zealand, while some are probably also held at Lloyd's, London. ' •• '■>.

Tt may be of interest to recall the fad that the Tongariro has been twice in collision. In 1908 she collided with a vessel called the Prumlourig in the English Channel, near the Goodwin Sands,- and again iii 1911 she struck a wharf heavily in the Thames, London.