ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. PUKAKI.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9140, 12 June 1891, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. PUKAKI.

(Pbb Unitbd Press Assooiatiok.)

Auckland, June 11.

News was received this morning by the local agents of the Union Steam Ship Company from Awanui, near the North Cape, that the s.s, Pukaki, bound from Auckland to Westport, in ballast, lost her propeller off the North Cape, and was drifting about there under sail. The Pukaki, commanded by Captain Ewan, Inft here last Thursday in ballast for Westport, via the North Cape route, having just discharged a load of Newcastle coals at thia port. She should have arrived at Westport several days ago, but no anxiety was felt about her, as bad weather such as that experienced on the coast lately would tend to delay her passage. On Monday afternoon, the s.s. Wairarapa inward bound here from Sydney, passed a steamer near the North Cape supposed to bo tho Pukaki, but she was a long distance off when sighted. This morning awire was received by Mr T. Henderson, manager of the Union Steam Ship Company in Auckland.from Awanui, despatched by Mr Carmichae!, first officer, of the Pukaki, stating that the steamer had lost her propeller at sea ct the North Cape, and he had left the vessel with a boat's crew at 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning to pull to the land for assistance. They had a rough time in the boat, being 12 hours at sea before reaching Parengarengo. As there was no telegraph station there, 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 the disabled steamer was left she was about 16 miles E.S E. of the North Cape under sail, the wind being S.W. „ The Pukaki is rigged as a topsail schooner, and cannot spread much canvas. The Northern Sfcoamship Company's steamer Clansman left Russell to-day to search for the steamer and tow her to Russell, and the s.s. Staffa was also despatched from Awanui to look after the disabled vessel.

Russell, June 11.

The Pukaki's propeller shaft having broken she has been sailing and drifting about since Monday night. She arrived off Russell Heads and set signals of distress, but eventually had to anchor, as no notice was taken of the signals, the services of the signalman having been dispensed with. Her situation was reported by a small steamer, and the Northern Company's Clansman towed her in.

A telegram received from Russell to-night reports ths arrival of the Pukaki at that port. Captain Ewan states that the propeller shaft broke on Monday at 8.20 p.m. off Andora Bay. At tho time it was blowing a strong S.W. gale, with a heavy sea. He put the ship under sail, and found her 16 miles eastward of North Cape at daylight next morning, when he despatched the chief officer for assistance. From that time he was sailing and drifting till making the anchorage off Russell at 1 pro. to-day. Although signals for assistance were flying oo notice was taken from Russell signal station, through tbo signalman being dispensed with. The Clansman towed the Pukaki in from the anchorage to Russell and then left for Auckland, leaving the Pukaki there,