AN UNCHARTED ROCK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3853, 17 January 1928, Page 76

AN UNCHARTED ROCK.

IN VICINITY OF GISBORNE.

EXTENSIVE SEARCH TO BE MADE

AUCKLAND, January 9. An oxter -ive search for the unchartered rock north of Gisborne which the steamer Northumberland is believed to have struck last January is to be made next month by the minesweeper Wakakura and the sloops Laburnum and Veronica. The Northumberland struck a submerged object between Tuahine Point and Gable End foreland while travelling from Auckland to Napier. The liner was steaming at 13 knots, when those on board felt a heavy shock, and the ship was stopped. She was found to be making water fast, and a course was set for Gisborne at full speed. Temporary repairs were effected at Gisborne, and the Northumberland then came to Auckland, where she went into dock. Repairs in Calliope dock took 11 weeks to complete, the total cost being in the vicinity of £BB-00. Shortly after the mishap the Government steamer Tutanekai carried out a protracted survey in the vicinity of the spot where the Northumberland is supposed to have struck the submerged rock. The Tutanekai searched for five days over an area of two square miles between Ariel Reef to the seaward and Papapouri on the mainland. She failed to locate anv rock, but found a level bottom of papa rock, the depth of water varying from 27 to 38 fathoms. ’

An area of six square miles in the same vicinity is now to be surveyed minutely by the minesweeper and the two sloops. One vessel will act as a guide, and the other two will operate special dcepsca trawls. It is_ not known definitely when the survey will be commenced. The warships now at the naval base, Dcvonport, will shortly commence their manoeuvres for the present year. The. official itinerary has not yet been prepared. It is expected, however, that about a fortnight will be spent in Hauraki Gulf in the New Year, so that the survey will not be carried out until next month.