THE S.S. PUKAKI DISABLED AT SEA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9321, 16 June 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

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 thismorning by the local agents of the Union Steam Ship Company, from Awamu, near the North Cape, that the ».s. Pukaki, bound from Auckland to Westport in ballast, bad lost her propeller off the North Cape, and was drifting about there under sail.

The Pukaki is a “ red funnel*' cargo steamer of 1345 register, and 700 horse* power engines, and commanded by Captain Ewan.

She left here last Thursday in ballast for Westport, via the North Cap© route, having just discharged a loas of Newcastle coals at this port. She should havearrived at West* port several days ago, but no anxiety was felt about her, as bad weather, anch as that experienced on the coast lately, would tend to delay her passage. This morning a wire was received by Mr P. Henderson, manager of the Union S.S. Company in Auckland, from Awauui, near to the north Capo; despatched by Mr Carmtohael, first officer of the Pukaki, stating that the steamer had lost her propeller at sea off the North C-tpe, and he had left the vessel with a boat's orew at 7 a,m. on Tuesday morning to pull to land for assi-tance. They had a rough time iu the boat, being 12 hours at sea before reaching Parengarenga. As there was no telegraph station here, 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 bo left tho disabled steamer sho was about 10 miles E.S.E. of tho North Cape under sail, with the wind B.W. The Fukaki is rigged as a topsail schooner and cannot spread very much canvas. The Northern Steam Ship Company’s steamer Clansman left Russell to-day to search for the steamer and tow her to Russell, and the s.s. Staffs was also despatched from Awanui to look after the disabled vessel. Eosjuix, June 11. The Pokaki's propeller shaft is broken, and she has bsen sailing or rather drifting about since Monday night. She arrived off Bussell Heads this morning and set signals of distress. Eventually she had 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. Auckland. Jane 12.

It was first intended that the Clansman should tow tho Pukaki down to Auckland for repairs, but as there were indications of rough weather coming on it was decided to allow tho Union steamer to remain at Russell until next week. The Union Company’s steamer Tainne will arrive hare from the South on Tuesday next, and will go to the Bay and tow the Pnkaki down to Auckland to have her broken abaft repaired.