A STRANDED STEAMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20086, 25 October 1928, Page 19

A STRANDED STEAMER.

Igrounded in smoke haze. , i A PANIC-STRICKEN ARAB. I .Strong currents and the hazo from bush fires nn the coast were tho causo of (he stranding of the steamer Kinross on Cnfo 'lsland reef, 260 miles off the Queensland coast, on tho night of Sunday, October 7, according to stories told by members of tho crew, on arrival of tho steamer in Newcastle a few days later. Tho men were enthusiastic in express- | ing their admiration of the work done | l>v (lie master, Captain Patterson, in j 1 quelling a panic that seemed likely to } ariso among a section of tho crew when tho vessel struck and afterwards in dovising measures that led to the refloating of tho steamer on October 10. Tho Kinross, which was bound from Nauru to Melbourne with a cargo of phosphates, was said to bo travelling at a fair speed. Tho heavy smoke hung low on tho sea and reduced visibility to 100 yards. Tho sea was calm and there was no sound of breakers to indicate that danger was near. The vessol struck heavily and a terrific bump was tho first indication that anything untoward was about to happen. The crow put on lifebelts and rushed for the boats. Nino Arabs are included among thoso on board, and ono of them fell into a violent panic. For a moment it seemed that his hysterics might spread to tho others, but Captain Patterson was soon in command of the situation. He pointed out that the steamer showed no sign of settling down and told the men that they would be wise to remain on board. Tho lifeboats wero not lowered and, although many spent an un easy night, when dawn came it was'obvious that the steamer was not in danger of breaking up. Salvage operations were immediately put afoot. A lifeboat was lowered and two anchors placed in position out at sea. It was attempted to refloat tho Kinross with her own power. Twice the venture seemed likely to end in failure. On Monday the hawser broke and on Tuesday one of tho two anchors was pulled out of position. At high tide on Wednesday evening tho crew felt the vessel moving below them and a few minutes later the Kinross was again floating in deep water. It was believed that only slight damage forward was done to the Kinross. Littlo water was coming into the ship.