STRANDED STEAMER

Southland Times, Issue 20642, 14 November 1928, Page 4

STRANDED STEAMER

GROUNDED IN SMOKE HAZE. Strong currents and the haze from bush fires on the coast were the cause of the stranding of the steamer Kinross on Cato Island reef, 260 miles off the Queensland coast, on the night of Sunday, October 7, according to stories told by members of the crew, on arrival of the steamer in Newcastle a few days later. The men were enthusiastic in expressing their admiration of the work done by the master, Captain Patterson, in quelling a panic that seemed likely to arise among a section of the crew when the vessel struck and afterwards in devising measures that led to the refloating of the steamer on October 10. The Kinross, which was bound from Naura to Melbourne with a cargo of phosphates, was said to be travelling at a fair speed. The heavy smoke hung low on the sea and reduced visibility to 100 yards. The sea was calm and there was no sound of breakers to indicate that danger was near. The vessel struck heavily and a terrific bump was the first indication that anything untoward was about to happen. The crew put on lifebelts and rushed for the boats. Nine Arabs are included among those on board, and one of them fell into a violent panic. For a moment it seemed that his hysterics might spread to the others but Captain Patterson was soon in command of the situation. He showed that the steamer showed no sign of settling down and told the men that they would be wise to remain on board. The lifeboats were not lowered, and, although, many spent an uneasy night, when dawn came it was obvious that the steamer was not in danger of breaking up. Salvage operations were immediately put afoot. A lifeboat was lowered and two anchors placed in position out at sea. It was attempted to refloat the Kinross with her own power. Twice the venture seemed likely to end in failure. On Monday the hawser broke and on Tuesday one of the two anchors was pulled out of position. At high tide on Wednesday the crew felt the vessel moving below them and a few minutes later the Kinross was again floating in deep water.

It was believed that only slight damage forward was done to the Kinross. Little water was coming into the ship.