WRECK NEAR BLENHEIM

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9130, 11 August 1888, Page 5

WRECK NEAR BLENHEIM

THE BARQUE KATE TATHAM ASHORE. ATTEMPTS TO FLOAT HER HOLD FULL OF WATER. VESSEL EXPECTED TO GO TO PIECES THE CREW LANDED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. The iron barque Kate Tatham, bound from Newcastle to Napier with a cargo of coal, was wrecked at the White Bluff, about two miles and a-half from the Wairau River, Blenheim, last night. It appears that the vessel was boating across tho Straits with a fresh breeze and high sea and swell, when she got too close in before observing the land, which was obscured by thick weather. Before anything could be done to work the ship out of her dangerous position, she struck tho rocks, and remained fast. It was about six o'clock last evening when the vessel first struck, and the crew were at once employed in lightening the vessel, with tho view of getting her oft". Rockets were fired, so as to attract the attention of passing vessels, and these were seen about eight o'clock by the Union Company's steamer Kanieri while crossing the Wairau bar on her way to Wellington. Captain Manning at once wont to the assistance of the ill-fated barque, and remained by her all night. The sea moderated somewhat sifter the vessel went on, and the work of discharging the coal was carried on throughout the night, despite the fact that she was labouring rather heavily. At four o'clock this morning the Kanieri had a line taken on board, and an attempt was made to tow the vessel off, but without success. Between seven and eight o'clock the Waihi also came to the assistance of the barque, and along with the Kanieri further attempts were made to move the vessel, but, although they tugged away for hours, it had no effect.

About nine o'clock in tho morning the ship's pumps were sounded, and it was ascertained there were ten feet of water in the hold, and by ten o'clock it had risen above the cargo.

As there was no chance of the vessel coming oil the captain of the Kanieri decided to resume his voyage to Wellington ; and Mr. Edward O'Brien, the chief officer, and five other members of the crew of the Kate Tathani, came over in her.

The captain, boatswain, and one of the seamen were left on the wreck, and should the vessel show signs of breaking up they will land in one of the ship's boats.

Mr. O'Brien reports that the Kate Tatham, Captain Moore, left Newcastle on the '2oth ult., with 400 tons of coal for Napier. Tho vessel was well found in every respect, and had moderate weather across to New Zealand, making Capo Farewell spit light on Tuesday, when she commenced to beat through Cook Straits, and was off Sinclair Head at eleven o'clock yesterday morning, when she lacked and stood across towards Cloudy Bay, with the result mentioned above. Mr. O'Brien attributes the accident to the thick weather and the land being very deceiving at the time of the mishap, and also the vessel being set in by a heavy swell. The vessel lies oil a very rough bottom, and the chief officer considers that sho will become a total wreck, but states that a large quantity of gear can be saved if steps are at once taken to dismantle the ship. All tho personal effects of the crew were placed on he Kanieri this morning, and brought on to Wellington. The Kate Tatham is a small barque of '275 tons, is 25 years old, and owned by Messrs. Tait and Mills, of Napier. It is understood that bot vessel and cargo are insured, but in what offices is not known here. She is valued at about £2000. hen the Kanieri left the wreck the vessel was full of water, and her grating on the rocks could lie distinctly heard on board the steamer. It is feared that the barque will soon go to pieces.