VESSEL IN DISTRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10085, 21 March 1896, Page 5

VESSEL IN DISTRESS.

A BARQUE SPRINGS A LEAK. Yesterday afternoon the Union Company's steamer Taupo arrived in harbour from the South, having in tow the German bni quo Commerzienrath Rodbertus in distress. The Taupo dropped the barque at the North Head, when one of the steamers of the Devonport Ferry Company picked her up and towed her to an anchorage in the stream.

The Taupo picked the barque up off Cuvier Island yesterday morning flying distress signals, and Captain Ryan becoming acquainted with the circumstances at once took the barque in tow. Captain A. Kntitter, the master of the barque, reports that the vessel sailed from Haapai, Friendly Islands, for Europe, for orders, on March 7, loaded with copra, the weather being rather tempestuous at the start. On the Bth the wind gradually increased until it blew a hard gale, causing the vessel to work and strain violently, and it was found that she was making water. The pumps were at once soundod, when the unwelcome discovery was mado that there was 3 feet 9 inches of water in the well. All hands were immediately set to the pumps, but the weather still continuing bad, it was decided by Csptaiu KnUtter and his officers to make for a New Zealand port for repairs, and a course was at once shaped in that direction.

On the 9th the wind had gradually increased until it was blowing with hurricane force, the wind starting from VV.N.VV,, veering to .the westward, and then going round to S.S.W. and 8.8 E. There was a tremendously heavy sea running all the time, causing the vessel to work and strain considerably, the deoks being completely flooded both fore and aft, causing fears to bo entertained for the safety of the vessel. So severe was the weather that nothing could be cooked for the crew, the galley being completely under water for a couple of days. The spare spars on deck and other gear all broke loose owing to the working of tho vessel, and the enormous mass of water continually about the decks. Humping was oontinued throughout the day and night, and on tho morning of the 10th both pumps were working at full force, continuing until noon, by wnioh time the water hail decreased 1 foot 5 inches. A short spell was then taken, all hands going to dinner, the first meal since the gale commenced ; after which pumping was resumed, but with no appreciable difference, as ill tho evening there was Ift Bin of water in the well. Th" position of the vessel at this time was lat. 2li - 18, S., long. 175 41, VV. The weather then commenced to modorate, the sea becoming quieter all the time. At 8 p.m. owing to the continued exertions of the crew the water began to be got under, until there were only seven inches in the well. Half the crew were then knocked off, the other half being kept steadily at the pumps, and were able to keep the water in check. On the 11th a new fore-lower topsail was bent, and the barquo put under lull sail, pumping operations continuing. On the 12th, the weather having quite moderated, Captain KnUtter decided to open the hatches in order to see how the cargo was progressing, when it was found that there was some water in the poop. This was caused by the bulkhead having worked to such an extent as to allow the water to get in, and in consequence the caigo had become saturated with sea water. Fine weather continued until making Cuvier Island yesterday morning, when the Union Company's steamer Taiipo was sighted, and took the vessel in tow, bringing her up to the North Head. It is probable that the barque will have to discharge her cargo and go into dook for repairs, but Captain Kntitter will interview the German Consul this morning, and then arrange what course ho will pursue. The Cominerzienrath Rodbertus is a wooden barque of the following dimensions: Length, 143*5 feet; breadth, 305 feet; depth, 17*7 feet; tonuage, 681. She was built by J. S. Kraeft, of Barth, Germany, in 1878, and is owned by Mr. J. N. Rodbertus, of the same port.