STRANDED STEAMERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 31

STRANDED STEAMERS

COOMA BUMPING BADLY. WELLINGTON, July 7. The Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department received the following wireless message, which was broadcasted from Sydney by radio at 7.47 pm:— “S.O.S. The steamer Cooma is ash >re on the North Reef.” PASSENGERS TRANSFERRED SYDNEY, July 8 Although a heavy swell was running the passengers on the Cooma were safely transferred to the Burwah and will be landed at Port Alma this afternoon. The Burwah reached the Cooma before midnight, and as there was no immediate danger it was decided in view of the heavy swell not to attempt the transfer until to-day. At early dawn a start was made and the passengers were safely removed. H.M.S. Moresby arrived on the scene after the Burwah left and also stood by in order to transfer the crew if necessary as the Cooma was bumping heavily. Late, in the afternoon the crew were taken on board the Moresby. It is now feared that the Cooma will become a total wreck. TUGELA~STRIKES BEEF. BRISBANE, July 8. A radio message has been received stating that the steamer Tugela, which left Auckland on May 11 for European ports via Papua, is stranded on Helen Reef, off the Northern extremity of Papua. The weather is fine, and the vessel is not in danger. SYDNEY, July 8 Efforts are being made by shifting the cargo from the bow to the stern to enable the Tugela to be got off the reef. Apparently she is not seriously damaged.