THE NIWARU.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5023, 22 July 1903, Page 5

THE NIWARU.

MSCHAE.GB OF OARGO PROCEEDING. THE VESSEL STILL AGROUND. PRESS ASSOCIATION. fr , t NAPIER, July 21. Tho whole of the cargo of the Tysor steamer Niwaru, which took the ground on Sunday, will bo landed here, as it is foarcd tho water has found its way from tho damaged hold into the other compartments. Pumping operations on an elaborate scale wore commenced to-day. A general average of 20 per cent has been struck on tho carro. Tho Jin ■gistorial inquiry as to tho cause of tho accident will probably ho held about Saturday. Tho steamer lias boon shifted sixty, feet nearer tho breakwater for greater protection in the event of bad weather. A considerable quantity of cargo, principally from No. 5 hold, lias boon taken out, and it is intended to" discharge about 5000 to 6000 tons of coal in order to further lighten tho vessel. Tho bulkheads between Nos. 4 and 5 holds are being strengthened. The main topmast was broken about two feet from the top to-day by tho accidental swinging of the derrick when discharging cargo. When tho whole of the pumps are at work to-morrow it is hoped they will bo able to reduce the quantity of water in No. 4 hold, so as to permit of an examination being made and temporary repairs effected.

It appears from the “Hawke’s Bay Herald ” that when the danger-signals shown by the pilot boat were noticed on board tho Niwaru the steamer ■was headed towards the north-oast. - Unluckily sho crossed what is known as tho “ twenty-six-foot patch,” a short distance cast of the breakwater wharf, and touched tho rooky bottom well aft. Captain Lake, the harbourmaster, then wont on hoard, and brought tho vessel to tho roadstead, where sho anchored. Water was discovered to be rising rapidly in No. 4 hold l , and assistance from shore was sent for. The Niwaru was run aground at about a quarter of a mile from tbo shore, off Sturm’s Gully, her stern taking tho bottom in about thirty feet of water. It is stated that when the water has been pumped out of No. 4 hold, and the divor, Mr Lloyd, has an opportunity of effecting temporary repairs, she will probably float off without further damage. Sho will then sail direct for Auckland, and be placed in tho dry dock there. As there was 26fb of water in tho damaged hold, tho work of emptying it would necessarily take some time, and with_ tiro further delay required for repairs, it mav bo a week or two before sbo is able to leave for tho north. Tho work will be effected, however, as expeditiously as possible, and already much has been done. The Kahn will load transhipments for Wellington from the Niwaru today. Tiro more centrifugal pumps for the Niwaru left Wellington by train yesterday afternoon. They will be conveyed from Wondvillio to Napier by a special train, and should roach their destination early this morning.