RIVERINA ASHORE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16317, 18 April 1927, Page 7

RIVERINA ASHORE

MISHAP OFF GABO CAUGHT IN CYCLONIC STORM 142 PASSENGERS ON BOARD STEAMER STANDING BY (Elec. Tel. Copyright— United Press Assn. SYDNEY, April 17. A wireless received to-night states that the Huddart Parker steamer Riverina from Hobart to Sydney, with a big list of passengers, is ashore one and a-half miles south-west of Gabo Island, the centre of a cyclonic storm. Tho steamers Ironcrown and Port Nicholson have wirelessed they are going to her assistance. At eight o’clock the Port Nicholson was half an hour's steam from the stranded vessel.

(Received April 18, noou.) SYDNEY, April 18. Tho Riverina left Hobart for Sydney at noon on Saturday. She experienced fresh weather till Sunday morning, when the wind rose to gale force, and heavy seas from the south-east were encountered. The visibility became bad, and towards dusk thick clouds were accompanied by heavy rain. Hie vessel went ashore at 7.15 on a sandy bottoijL Late last night she was bumping bad Ty. The ship lias 142 passengers aboard, and the crew numbers about one hundred. The steacmer Port Nicholson is standing by. Other steamers, including the Iron Baron, Goulburn, and three trawlers ,will he at the scene this morning. Two powerful tugs, after bunkering, will leave Sydney to-day. Meantime; the Riverina is in no imme : diate danger, but the weather is too rough to permit the transhipment of passengers. Heavy storms along the coast interrupted telegraphic communication with Gabo Island. The lines are down in several places. Captain Parry commands the Riverina. He thinks that there is little likelihood of the vessel being refloated.

The Riverina is one of the Huddart Parker fleet She was constructed in 1905 by Sir J. Lang and Sons, Sunderland, being of 4758 tons and measuring 370 ft. length, 49.7 breadth and 22.8 draught. The vessel is built on the conventional lines of the Huddart Parker vessels, the Ulimaroa being of similar design. The vessel was built for the Australian trade but for some years made trips to New Zealand when Messrs. Huddart Parker and Co. were more largely engaged in the Tasman sea trade than they are at present. The Riverina for a good many years has been engaged in tlie Sydney-Hobart service.

Gabo Island, a few miles to the south of Cape Howe, marks a turning point on the course of vessels from Melbourne to Sydney. The island stands S few miles off the coast and has a powerful light, visible for 20 miles.