ACCIDENT TO THE ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11841, 19 December 1901, Page 5

ACCIDENT TO THE ROTORUA.

STEERING GEAR GIVES WAY.

EXCITING INCIDENT IN THE FRENCH PASS. [by telegraph.— association.] Nelson, Wednesday. The steamer Rotorua, on her way from Picton to Nelson this morning, had a, narrow escape, and was actually ashore at the French Pass for some time, but fortunately escaped serious injury, and arrived off the Boulder Bank late this afternoon. She has only just entered the harbour. The story of a, passenger who came ashore in a waterman's boat, is that all went as usual till the French Ps was entered, when the passengers were alarmed on seeing that the steamer was standing for the reef instead of taking the direct passage. It soon transpired that the steering gear had given way at a critical time. The engines were put full astern, but the Hood tide carried the ship on towards the reef, and every effort was unavailing to prevent her going ashore. As she took the smooth water - worn rocks she heeled over so considerably as to cause further fears that she would go completely over, but everything was done that good seamanship could dictate, and the spare steering gear was got ready. With the rise of the tide the vessel came off, and it was stated that she was making no water. The ship came on to port here, and it was generally considered that she had merely lost the tide. Some work is being done on board. So far as is at present known the vessel will leave port again at twelve o'clock to-night.