THE S.S. PUKAKI DISABLED AT SEA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9318, 12 June 1891, Page 2

THE S.S. PUKAKI DISABLED AT SEA.

FOUR DATS DRIFTING ABOUT. THE VESSEL TOWED INTO RUSSELL, (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, June 11. News was received this morning by the local agents of the Union Steam Ship Company, from Awanui, near the North Cape, that the s.s, Pukaki, bound from Auckland to Westport in ballast, bad lost her propeller off the North Cape, and was drifting abant there under sail. The Pukaki is a “red funnel” cargo steamer of 1345 register, and 700 horsepower engines, and commanded by Captain Ewan,

She loft here last Thursday in ballast for Westport, via the North Capa route, having jnst discharged a load of Newcastle coals at this port. She should have arrived at West, port several days ago, but no anxiety was felt about her, as bad weather, snob as thst experienced on tho coast lately, would tend to delay her passage. On Monday afternoon tho s.s. Wairaraps, inward bound here from Sydney, passed a steamer near the North Cape, supposed to be the Fnkaki, but she was a long distanca off when sighted. This morning a wire was received by Mr P. Henderson, manager of the Union S.S. Company in Auckland, from Awanui, near to the north Capo, despatched by Mr Carmichael, first officer of the Pukaki, stating that the steamer had lost her propeller at sea oil the North Cape, and he had left the vessel with a boat’s orow at 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning to pull to laud for assistance. They had a rough time ia the boat, being I'2 hoars at sea before reaching Parongarenga, As there was no telegraph station hero, the officer rode overland to Awanui, a distance of 30 miles, reaching there at midnight last night, and this morning wired to town.

At the time he left the disabled steamer she was about 1G miles E. 5.15. of the North Cape under sail, with the wind S.W. The Pultcki is rigged as a topsail schooner and cannot spread very much canvas. The Northern Steam Ship Company's steamer Clansman left Bussell to day to search for the steamer and tow her to Bussell, and the s.'s. Staffs was also despatched from Awanui to look after the disabled vessel. Bussell, June XI. The Pukaki’s propeller shaft is broken, and she has been sailing or rather drifting about since Monday night. She arrived off Bussell Heads this moruiug and. set signals of distress. Eventually ebe bad to make the anchorage through the signals being taken no notice of, the services of the signalman having been dispensed with. Her situation being reported by a small steamer, arrangements were made, and the Northern Company’s Clansman towed her in.