MISHAP AT SEA

Otago Witness, Issue 3556, 9 May 1922, Page 61

MISHAP AT SEA

COASTAL STEAMER STRIKES A ROCK. * CHRISTCHURCH, May 4. The coastal steamer Cygnet, while on a trip to Kaikoura from Lyttelton, struck a rock at Point Gibson, just south of Gore Bay, at 2 o’clock this morning. The weather was fair and the sea moderate. After examination the captain decided to return to Lyttelton, which port the vessel reached in due course. Captain Murray stated that, after the vessel struck, he immediately launched the lifeboat and ordered the crew into it. He then investigated the extent of the damage, and concluded that the vessel’s pumps could keep the water down while reluming to Lyttelton. Investigations at, Lyttelton showed that the ship's bow had been torn away for about 3ft and bent, over to the starboard side. Point Gibson is 48 miles from Lyttelton, and 34 from Kaikoura. The Cygnet, whose headquarters are at Lyttelton, was employed for many years in the Banks Peninsula trade, and was offered at public auction at Lyttelton early this year. The bidding, however, did not reach the vendor’s reserve, and she was passed in at £4440. Since then the Cygnet has boon employed in the trade between Lyttelton. Kaikoura, Nelson, and Motueka, under the agency of Pitcaithly Bros., of Christchurch. She is an iron steamer of 124 tons register, 120 tons capacity, was built in 1885 by Davis and Clow, Abingdon, and was for some years engaged in the Parramatta River trade. Her dimensions are; Length 120 ft, beam 17ft 3in, depth Bft 7in.