TWO VESSELS ON REEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20793, 9 February 1931, Page 11

TWO VESSELS ON REEF.

CREWS IN DANGER.

JAPANESE ABANDON SHIP.

FREMANTLE TUG STANDS BY

By Telegrflph—Press Association—Copyright, (Received February 8, 5.5 p.m.) PERTH, Feb. 8. Disaster has overtaken the Japanese steamer Sliunsei Maru, 4894 tons, which is stranded on a reof 13 miles from Point Coates, and also another Japanese vessel, the Chofuku Maru, 4498 tons, which was sent to her assistance.

Th o latter vessel struck the reef 12 miles from the Shunsei Maru, and is sink-

Wireless messages reporting their plight have been received by the navigation authorities in Western Australia, but it is difficult to obtain details owing to tho captain's unfamiliarity with the English language. Tho masters of both vessels first stated that the crows were in no immediate danger, and they were awaiting instructions from the owners at Kobe.

A later message says the Chofuku Maru's crew has abandoned ship and has been transferred to the" Shunsei Maru, which is severely damaged and is bumping on the reef.

A tug from Fremantle is standing by.

The Chofuku Maru was built in 1908 at Glasgow. She was formerly named Pendragon Castle and then Inverskip. She is now owned by the Kawasahi Steam Ship Company, of Kobe.

Tho Shunsei Maru was built at Glasgow in 1911, and was then named Baron Polwarth. She is owned by the Yamomoto Commercial Company of Osaka. -