THE ACCIDENT TO THE RAKIURA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 54

THE ACCIDENT TO THE RAKIURA.

ATTEMPT TO TOW HER OFF.

AN EXCITING INCIDENT. Reports as to the position of tho s.». Rakiura (which went agrcund at Willshcr Bay) to hand on the 18th state that the weather cleared in the morning and the sea. was sufficiently calm to permit Captain Spence to stand close in shore, consequently the Koputai anchored just beyond the breakers. About 7 a.m. Mr Scollay (chief mate) and one of the seamen (A. O'Sullivan) went out to the tug in the steamer's boat and brought a line ashore, by means of which a. strong hawser was hauled off and made fast to tho Rakiura. Before getting ashore, however, the men had a periN ous experience through the boat capsizing in the breakers. Scollay got on the keel of the boat, but it rolled over two or three times O' Sullivan, who had on a lifebelt, tried to swim ashore, but was a, good deal knocked about in tho breakers. Seeing his <langer. Goorge Silver (one of the Rakiura'a firemen) stripped and went to Ziis assistance, bringing him ashore in an exhausredstate; but he soon recovered. An attempt was made to tow the vessel off about 6 p.m., but the Koputai was unable to shift the Rakiura, which is still lying safely on the beach. She has sustained no damage whatever, and present indications are that the vessel will have to remain where sha is until the return of spring tides, which arc due about the 27th inst. According to a message received by Mr K. S. Ramsay late last evening 1 , the tusf was jowing away at dusk, but up to the time the messenger left there was no appreciable difference in the Rakiura's position.