ASHORE ON A REEF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19269, 5 September 1924, Page 7

ASHORE ON A REEF.

STEAMER STRIKES AT MIDNIGHT. ASSISTANCE DESPATCHED. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. SUVA, September 4. The steamer Mesna, from Nukualofa to Haapai, is ashore. H.M.S. Laburnum is leaving Nukualofa this morning to help the Mesna, which ran ashore at midnight on the ivakautisi reef, south-west of Tokulu Island, Haapai Group (Tonga). The cargo comprises 3000 tons of zinc ore from China, 980 tons of copra, and 110 tons of general cargo from Fiji, and about 600 tons from Nukualofa. —A. and N.Z. Cable. TOTAL LOSS FEARED. SHIP’S COMPANY SAFE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 4. The Secretary of the G.P.O. advises that at 2.5 a.m. to-clay, and at intervals thereafter, the following S.O.S. call was heard at the radio station, Auckland : S.O.S. Mesna stranded on Kakaunsi reef ; needs assistance as soon aa possible. . . , In answer to inquiry, the Mesna advised her true position as latitude 20.9 S, longitude 174.55 W. ' The message was broadcasted by the radio station, Auckland, and communication established with the Niagara, distant 600 miles, and the nearest ship to the stranded vessel. The Receiver-General was also advised bv urgent cable, and the Suva radio came into operation at 3.36 a.m. At daylight the position was that arrangements were being made at Suva to send assistance to the Mesna. Meanvyhile the Niagara was awaiting instructions, and ready to proceed to the wreck if necessary., ’ ' Later messages state that the war sloop Laburnum, from Suva, expects to reacti the wreck shortly after dark. The Mesna is a Norwegian vessel, and was bound for Haapai from Nukualofa. It is believed that the ship will become a total wreck, but there is no danger to the lives of the ship’s company. THE VESSEL'S PERSONNEL. (Peh United Press Association.! WELLINGTON, September 4. Further information received by the Secretary of the Post Office in regard to the wrecked steamer Mesna indicates that the vessel carried a crew of 40, and 29 passengers, including two women. The Mesna is a steel vessel, of 5424 tons, built in 1917 by J. L. Thompson and Sons, Ltd., Sunderland, for the Den Norsake Og Australielinic Company. She is 385 ft in length, 53ft in breadth, and 51ft in depth.