STEAMER ASHORE

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 21

STEAMER ASHORE

THE OPOURI HIGH AND DRY. FAILURE OF THE STEERING GEAHL GREYMOUTH, September 4. The steamer Opouri ran ashore at 11.30 o'clock last night. Th.i sea had been rough ail day, and shipping was practically at a standstill. In crossing the bar the Opouri's steering gear failed, causing her to swing round, and she was earned on to tho north breakwater into a small bight between tho inner and outer walls. On striking the staging of tho old wall, three members of the crew clambered ashore and held on to tho staging. The staging gave way, and they wero precipitated into the water, but goi safely ashore. The Opouri soon became hard and fast. The rest of the crew got ashore without any serious difficulty. The veteel now lies high and dry. An attempt will be made to refloat her at noon to-day, but no great hopes are held out as to success. There is a hole in the engine-room, and all the bunker coal has been washed out,

The Opoiui is still hard aground. So far no attempt has been made to refloat her or discharge tho cargo.

CIIRISTCHURCH, September 4. The Opouri is owned by tho Opouri Steamship Company (Ltd.), and directed by Messrs Reeee Eros., Christchureh. She was purchased six years ago by the company, brought out from England, and has been engaged in the Lyttelton-West Coast trade practically over since. She was usually loaded with timber from Greymouth to Lyttelton, returning to the West. Coast with general merchandise. Captain E. A. Cox is in charge of the Opouri; chief officer, Mr T. Naysrnith; second officer, Mr J. Mackenzie, and carried a crew of 13. The hull is insured with the Batavia Insurance Company, Sydney. Two directors of tho company and Captain Colona, Lloyd's representative, left by motor car at noon to-day for Greymouth. Tho Opouri carried 240 tons of general cargo for Greymouth and Hokitika. CHRISTCHURCH, September 6. The reports received in Christchureh regarding'the salvage prospects of the Opouri, which ran on the rocks off the Greymouth bar two days ago are not of a very satisfactory nature, \esterday a strong northwester caused the sea to rise rapidly, and the stranded vessel received a heavy pounding, which has made her present list much more acute. A small portion of the cargo and also one of the boats have been removed. GREYMOUTH, September 7. Tho steamer Opouri, which went ashore on the north breakwater when crossing the Greymouth bar late on Monday night, has been abandoned to the underwriters. Tho salvage of the vessel's cargo is now proceeding. COURT INQUIRY. GREYMOUTH. September 10. An inquiry into the Opouri wreck insido the entrance of the Grey River on September 3 was held to-day before Mr T. Hutchison, S.M.. who had with him as assessors Captains Lobb and Crawford, and E. P. Turner (of Christchureh). At tho conclusion of the evidence the chairman eaid the answXTS to the questions submitted to the court wore that the stranding of the vessel was* wholly due to tho parting of the starboard steering- gear. The stranding of the vessel was not duo in any measure to any wrongful act or default on the part of the master or any officer of the vessel. He added : "We find that the casualty was due to the stretching screw of the starboard steering rod being defective, and partina - while the vessel was crossing tho bar. We think that the steerinpr gear, having been surveyed and passed by Lloyd's survevor, and the Government surveyor, six months ago, the master was entitled to rely upon that survey as showing that the steering 2-car was then efficient. Wc think the steeriner jrear ought, nevertheless, to havo been inspected thereafter at each terminal port bv the deck officers of the vessel to, ascertain that it continued to be in an efficient state, but., in view of the evidence, wo do not think tho omission to do so can be imputed as such wrongful default aa would justify the court in cancelling or suspending the certificate of Hie master or tho mate, or tho engineer. The certificates are returned. We make no order as to costs."