THE PUKAKI ON A ROCK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 33

THE PUKAKI ON A ROCK.

Hobart, February 15. ' The Union Company's steamer Pukaki met with an alarming accident to-day. While entering the Mersey River and berthing alongside the Devonport Wharf, j she struck asubmerged rock, which knocked | a large hole in the starboard bottom. j The vessel was making water so fast"! that she had to be immediately beached to | prevent her from sinking in deep water'. J The Pukaki has a hole four feet long in her bottom. She is beached in a good J position.. i She had very little cargo on board, but nothing is yet known as to the extent to which it is damaged. The Union Company has made arrangements for another steamer to take up the running in place of the Pukaki. Hobart, February 16.

The cargo in the Pukaki's fore-hold is damaged considerably, but that in the after hold has escaped. The lading consisted chiefly of potatoes, oats and peas. The Marine Board had recently been carrying on blasting operations in the vicinity, and the Pukaki struck on a boulder where only shingle existed before. Hobart, February 18. The Pukaki has been berthed at the Devonport wharf. The hole in her. bottom has been stuffed with mattresses, and the pump s ? have reduced the water considerably. It is now ascertained that all the cargo is damaged.' The Pukaki has been temporarily repaired at Devonport, and sails for Sydney to-morrow.

Devonport Harbour is largely used "by steamers of the Union Steamship Company, the Australian United S.S. Company, and the United S.S. Company; and other intercolonial steamers frequently make trips there for cargo. Devonport is near the mouth of the Hobart. There is a bar" at the entrance to the river, but it is being gradually deepened, and the Mersey Marine Board has done a great deal to improve the.port accommodation. :