WRECK OF THE BOVERIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14651, 10 April 1911, Page 8

WRECK OF THE BOVERIC.

VESSEL HARD AND FAST. THE CARGO JETTISONED. PROSPECT OF REFLOATING. The sea was calm and the weather fine when on the morning of March 29, the liner Boveric, en route from Australian ports to San Francisco, approached Nukualofa. The vessel was slowly proceeding on her. course, when presently, on entering the port, she grounded on the end of a coral reef at the entrance to the Narrows, Biha. Investigation showed the Boveric's head to be hard! and fast in the coral, which had penetrated the hull, while there were 19 fathoms of water aft-. Tho brief news that the Boveric was ashore was received in Auckland last week, but it was not until the 'Frisco steamer Knight of St. George, which called at Nukualofa, arrived in Auckland yesterday that fuller particulars of the mishap were received. . In conversation with a Herald reporter yesterday, the captain of the Knight of St. George referred to the grounding of the Boveric. For two clays after the occurrence, he said, efforts were made to get the vessel off, but without success. At this stage tho Knight of St. George arrived, and arrangements were mado for her to go to the assistance of the Boveric. On the morning of April 1, the Knight of St George went alongside the Boveric and made fast.. The engines of the Boveric were then put full speed astern, while those of the Knight of St. George were going full speed ahead, but the united efforts of these two powerful sets of engines were not sufficient to move the stranded vessel from her position. Tho Knight of St. George suffered some damage owing to the corner of the Boveric's poop catching in one of her portholes, and tearing the plate. On April 2 another attempt was made, this time the vessels using a long wire rope, and a 16in hemp spring. Hardly had strain come on this before the spring parted, after which an attempt was made with tho wire rope only, hut with a falling tide there was little chance of doing any good that day. The following morning a final attempt was made, but without success. The Knight of St. George suffered further damage, owing to the chocks on her poop carrying away with the heavy strain of iho wire. Poop rails, flagstaff, patent sounding machine, etc., were swept, down, and it was particularly fortunate that nobody was hurt. The Knight of St. George left Nukualofa on April 3, leaving the Boveric's position unchanged. While this work was proceeding the cargo of 5000 tons of coal was being quickly jettisoned, as the Boveric would h&v-) a better chance of getting off if lighter. On the departure of the Knight of St. George a communication was sent to H.M.S. Encounter, at Vavau, 200 miles away. It was expected that the warship would proceed to Nukualofa, and endeavour to complete the work commenced by the Knight of St. George. Every credit is due to the captain, officers and men of the Knight of St. George for ihe work done. " Though we were unsuccessful," remarked the captain of the Knight of St. 'George, "I anticipate that the Boveric will soon be afloat again, and will probably arrive in Auckland shortly for repairs." The Knight of St. George also met with an accident at the Islands, striking a reef when leaving Haapai. The accident was not; serious, and as no water was made th& vessel will not be repaired until she roaches Sydney.