LOSS OF THE INGER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13368, 24 December 1906, Page 5

LOSS OF THE INGER.

' HOW THE. ACCIDENT OCCURRED. The steamer Pocahontas, which arrived .it .Sydney last week, confirmed the report ol the loss of the steamer Inger at Ocean Island.

According to a statement made by Captain Johannessen, the loss of the vessel was due to the fact of a chain becoming entangled in the propeller while he was endeavouring to move his ship to sea during a blow. As is well known, there is no harbour at Ocean Island, but heavy moorings have been laid about 100 yards from the shore. While ships are moored at these buoys it is necessary that' a constant watch should lx> kept, so that in the event of a gale springing up the vessel can be immediately taken to sea.

On arrival of the Inger at Ocean Island the weather was beautifully fine, and Captain Johannessen made fast to one of the buoys, and loading operations were immediately commenced, some 1300 tons of phosphates being placed on board. About five a.m. on November 20 a heavy squall struck the vessel, and Captain Johannessen gave instructions for the cable to be slipped. One of the mooring chains, however, snapped, and portion of it became entangled around the propeller. An attempt was made to clear away the chain, but before this could be done the Inger drifted on the reef. The wind, which was blowing with increased violence, caused the vessel to bump heavily on the rocks, and it was seen that she was making water freely. Every effort was made to save the vessel, but the. task was hopeless, and as the stormy conditions continued the crew abandoned her in the afternoon. They had little difficulty in reaching the shore, as the water was only a few feet deep, and it was not necessary to employ the lifeboats. The captain and officers re mained upon the vessel. An inspection of the engine-room was made, and it was found that, the water had almost reached the boilers, and shortly afterwards the fires were extinguished. " Captain Tate, the harbourmaster at the island, subsequently visited the vessel, and advised the captain to go ashore, as it would Ik- dangerous to stand by the vessel any longer. The following morning the vessel was found to have been badly battered about by the seas, and was a total wreck.

It was decided to sell the wreck, which was- purchased by the Pacific Phosphates Company for £20." They immediately commenced the work of dismantling her, but the vessel slipped off the reof and sank in 200 fathoms of water, the only things saved being an anchor and chain, and a small quantity of stores. •