WRECK OF H.M.S. RINGAROOMA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2116, 13 September 1894, Page 13

WRECK OF H.M.S. RINGAROOMA.

Sydney, September 6. A cable from Noumea states that H M.S. Dart has juat arrived from the New Hebrides, and reports that H.M.B. Ringarooma has been wrecked en the south-east of Mallicollo. All hands were saved, but the ship is supposed to be a total loss. The Frenoh war*

ships Duchaflcant and Scorff have gone to her assistance. No derails are yet known. It is expected that H.M.S. Wallaroo will be ordtred from New Zealand. Soptember 7. N H.M.S. Lizard, &dw in' Brisbane, has been ordered to proceed to the assistance of HMS Ringarooma. Th^ steamer Victoria, due to-morrow from the New Hebrides, will probably bring details of tb« wreck. H.M.S. Orlando has been ordered to Malhcollo to assist the Ringarooma, and sails on Monday. September 8. H.M.S. Orlando is engaged in an extensive overhaul to her machinery and boilerc, and a large part of the former has been taken to pieces. The dockyard hands are now working day and night in order to get her away to the scene of the wreck of the Ringarooma on Monday. The Admiral accompanies her, and appliances will be taken for floating and repairing the Ringarooma.

The two Fiench warsbipß should reach the scene to-day and to nioirow. September 9. The steamer Victoria has arrived from the New Hebrides. She brings no aews of the loss o£ H M.S. Emgarooma. j September 10. Further details by way of Noumea shew that H.M.S. Birgarooma went ashore at 4 a.m. on August 31. The accident is attributed to variations and the effect of a current of abnormal force, the conrae of which is indicated on the charts three miles outside. The Ringarooma was steaming 10 knots at the time. She is now standing almost on end, and is "dry up to the forward funnel at low water. The outer oottom is~~gone, but the inner i» still "intact. She has been lightened by jettisoning 300 tons of coals and her projectiles on to the reef

The officers succeeded in shifting the ship 6ft by wedging. Previous to the disaster three of the crew were drowned while bathing. When the Dart left the scene the wind was in a favourable quarter. If the inner bottom holds, and the weather keeps fine,

she may be floated off, as the reef is believed to be soft. September 11. The Orlando has sailed for the New Hebrides. Her despatch is considered highly creditable to the dockyard authorities. The dismantling occupied three weeks, and she was refitted in three days.