CAUGHT IN FLOOD TIDE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12251, 24 September 1925, Page 4

CAUGHT IN FLOOD TIDE

LOSS OF STEAMER KARAMU EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. HOBART, September 23. A Marine Court has commenced an inquiry into the loss of the steamer Karamu. Counsel for the Commonwealth Government stated that the part of the Tasmanian coast on which the wreck occurred was within a belt of violent westerly winds, and might be likened to the Bay of Biscay. Captain Huntley, commander of the Karamu, gave evidence that when he waa leaving port a flood tide caught the Karamu and carried her towards Entrance Island. There was a slight gra7,ing on the rooks' and a leak started* It would have been very dangerous to return to Strahan. Later the engineer reported that the water was gaining. A gale was blowing and the land was obscured.

All hands were then ordered to the stokehold to get up as much steam as possible, but within an hour the water was gaining rapidly, and the lower fires were being extinguished. The Karamu had just managed to round the South-West Cape when the engines stopped. Both anchors were let go, and a tarpaulin was placed underneath to try to stop the leak. The ship was anchored for 52 hours.

The weather steadily grew worse, but the Kana was sighted, and some of the Knramu’s crew got aboard her safely after their boat had been smashed. Others got ashore at daylight • next morning. The Karamu began to settle and four rafts were launched. Ten minutes later the vessel sank.