RONA WRECK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11248, 28 June 1922, Page 5

RONA WRECK

BOW FAST ON ROOK VESSEL IN VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION. SALVAGE WORK IN PROGRESS. PTR PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, June 27. The how of the Kona appeal's to be finnly wedged in the centre of Mat Rock and is tilted up only a little with the result that the ship, from stem to stern, down vessel’s length of 400 feet is not very' pronounced. Thor© is, however, a depth of no less than eighteen fathoms under the stem, and as a safeguard against- slipping back the engines are kept running at from half to full speed ahead. Immediately in front of the steamer and in a straight lino is the beacon still blinking mockingly which, instead of serving its intended function of salvation, lured its victim into the s-nares of wicked long', low rocks. The Ilona, it is apparent, ran straight at the light. There is, indeed, but twenty or thirty feet separating them. Until an inspection is made from the bow itself it would appear, when standing on the dock further hack to be quite easy to stretch out a hand and touch the lighthouse structure. The pinnacles on th© rock are not highland at Jo« tide the highest, which is near the base of the lighthouse, appears to be only about nine feet out of the water. Th© dimensions of the rock, actually showing at that time, would he about forty yards from east to west and twenty yards from north to so-uth. DRIVEN AT FULL SPEED. Where the Rona struck the rocks at the bow are covered by four or five feet of water at low tide, and a length of about thirty feet of the forepartof the ship seems to bo resting on rocks. The Rona was being driven along at her full -speed of ten knots when she crashed into th© rocks. Tt is understood that Ga-pta-in Wallis had left tho bridge seventeen minutes before, th© chief officer, Grantley, being in charge at th© time. The.effect of the impact was more severe’ in some portions of tli© ship than others. Some of th© officers, who were seated in the saloon and cabins, state that the bump was not uarticu l arly hard, but those standing in other parts of th© vessel were thrown violently forward. In the engineroom the shock of the collision was very acute, and for a few moments the men had difficulty in keeping their feet. No damage was done to the machinery. The order waa immediately given t-o “stand by” the after lifeboats. DANGER FROM WATER RISING. These were slung out quickly, and In the meantime the forward end was examined, it being found there was a lot of water in No. 1 hold, but tho vessel appeared to be firm on the rocks. It is hoped that the removal of the cargo from No. 2 hold will have the effect of bringing the bow well out of the water and facilitating flotation. Tlie danger is that the water in No. 2 hold may rise above the watertight bulkheads, which end twelve feet below the main deck, and thus leave the shelter deck open from end to end. Before any cargo was transferred the bulkhead between Nos. 1 and 2 holds and the lower Ivola hatches in No. 1 hold were securely fastened down to prevent water flowing from tlie forefoot to No. 2 hold. A collision mat was taken down by a party from H.M.S. Philomel, and this will be used to prevent any more water entering the holds. Providing th© report of the diver is favourable a great deal will depend on the weather, as even a moderate gale would probably disturb tho position of the Rona which is naturally exposed. m NAMES OF OFFICERS. The -ship's crew numbers fifty-two, the officers being:—Captain, J. A. Wallis; first officer, Mr C. T. Grantley ; second officer, Mr E. S. Stafford; third officer, Mr W. Baiharry; first engineer, JMr J.. Morrison; second, engineer, Mr *W. Matthews; third engineer, Mr T. W. Wolfe; fourth engineer, Mr W. Freeman; fifth engineer, Mr G. Dempster; wireless operator, Mr A. M. Wickham; chief steward, Mr S. Russell; purser, Mr H. L. Moorhens©; assistant purser, Mr It. Mowatt. ALMOST COLLIDED ‘WITH LIGHT. STERN IN DEEP WATER. A “Star” reporter, who has just returned from the Kona, states that the vessel is in a very precarious position. She lies with about 30ft of her bow hanging on tho ledge of Flat Rock, which is low-lying, aud only a few dozen yards in extent. The "rest of th© vessel is in deep water, and eo low that it is almost awash. There is a flashing light on the rock. The weather was clear, and the sea calm, and the Flat Rock light and Tiri Island light were picked up. Tho rock light was reported by tho look-out man in the usual manner to Captain Wallace and the chief officer, Mr Grantley. The captain left the bridge for a_ few minutes to get his topcoat, and, just as he returned to the bridge, the vessel struck “full and fair/’ Her forecastle is within 39ft of the automatic light, which is fixed on a concrete tower 25ft high. When the ves. sel strubk, the order was given to stand by the lifeboats, and they were promptly swung out. A lot of water showed in No. I hold, but it was soon seen that the ship would hang fast to the rock. Tho cargo is now being removed from No. 2 hold. CARGO SALVAGED. WILL BE -GOT OFF TO-MORROW. ■ AUCKLAND, Midnight. Two lighters sent to remove tlie eugar from tlie Rona’# No. 2 hold re* turned t-o port, and five other vessels sent to-day are expected to return in the morning with tho work completed. A wireless message from tho Rona just received states that the vessel ocruldj float now, but more cargo will bo discharged to ensuT© sufficient buoyancy- # It is expected th© vessel will be refloatedl on Thursday. Tho weather continues fine, and divers will inspect the ship to-morrow.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER NO INTER.FERENCE; "WITH SUPPLIES. The Hon. E. P. Le© (Minister foi Industries and Commerce) stated to a “Times’’ renoi-tor yesterday that ho had been informed that tho -weather at Auckland was good, and that progress was being made with tihe lightering of the sugar from, No. 1 hold.

It was not anticipated that much of the sugar would he damaged; in any ease, the damage was confined to No. 1 hold. Sugar would also "be lightered from No. 2 hold, and it was then expected that the ship would float. •■.New Zealand supplies of sugar at Chelsea,” said Air LoCj “are such that this mishap will not interfere in any way with supplies to the public.” The Minister added that sugar damaged hv salt water was easily dealt with in tho rofmery.