WRECK OF THE S.S. TAUPO.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 888, 19 February 1879, Page 2

WRECK OF THE S.S. TAUPO.

[i:v TKi.j;cu,\rji.] \V,;.MX,rHiN. Feb. 18. Mr. Walter Bishop, a passenger, supplies the following account of the wreck <if the Taupo .-—Left Auckland yesterday at five '/clock p.m.. aiul htul a good run ::nd line weather down tlie coast. Entered Tauraiiu;; Heads about a quarter to seven iliis morning, against a. strong eldi tide. When i>a.ssing Stoncy Point, a reef about 100 yards from Mongonui Hill, the vessel si ruck heavily and remained fast. The engines v.-ero at once stopped, and in a few minutes the fires were extinguished by the influx of water into the engine-room. Anticipating serious injury to the vessel's ho! torn, immediate preparations were i"ade to land the passengers and mails. Boats were quickly lowered, and within 20 minutes all the passengers and mails, and a. quantity of luggage, were safely ashore, whence they were taken to Tauranga by th.e Katikati. From a subsequent examination, the vessel has, apparently, si .;ck a reef immediately under the engine-room, which, with the middle compartments, are dry. Soundings give two fathoms water all round, at low tide. She is hanging amidships, on a shallow patch of big round boulders. Strong hopes are felt that the vessel will float off next tide. In the meantime, lighters arc busy relieving her of her cargo and coal. The" officers and crew are most energetic in their efforts to relieve the vessel. Great praise is especially due to Mr. Garrard, chief officer, for his prompt and unremitting exertions in getting the boats out and lauding the passengers, which were done without confusion. The accident was caused by the vessel's head suddenly canting shorcwards when steaming against a strong tide rip at a most critical point in the channel. General sympathy is felt for Capt. Cromarty under the circumstance. The accident is considered purely accidental, and unavoidable. The Taupo was insured in the South British for LfiOOO on the hull (a part of which was reinsured). New Zealand : LIO,OOO on the hull, and L 945 on the cargo. Union : LIOOO on the hull, and LloO on the cargo. The National had a heavy line, but the amount is not known.

February 10. The Secretary of the Post Office received the follo'wing from Tauranga la=t night:—The Tanpo would not float at high water. The cargo is still being d;s-char.'-cd. Another effort will bo made nexUide if the weather keeps fine. She mav be got off, but it is very doubtful. There are several holes in the steamer's bottom, and she is now full of water. The least swell would probably break her back. The Hawca returns south on Friday. Tl:a Napier mail will be sent overland, at?d those for the south will go by the Ewe:.. Do'EDizs, February 18. The total insurances of the Taupo amount to L 23,000, of which L 13,000 is in Home offices, and LIO,OOO in Colonial. The ship is valued at L 27,000. The insurances in Colonial offices are as follow :—Colonial, LIOOO ; Union, LIOOO ; New Zealand, LIOOO ; South British, L2OOO. Melbourne offices, LSOOO. Captain Cromarty has been in command since Captain Andrews left, three months since. He came out from Home in her as chief officer nearly four years ago. The company intend to abandon her to the underwriters.