WRECK OF SCOW HOROUTA

Southland Times, Issue 24756, 29 May 1942, Page 5

WRECK OF SCOW HOROUTA

DRIVEN ON ROCKS AT CENTRE ISLAND Driven on to a reef of rocks by an easterly wind early yesterday morning, the scow Horouta, which was lying at Centre Island, is believed to have become a total loss. When visited by the Bluff Harbour Board’s staff for salvage early yesterday morning, the scow appeared to be fast on the rocks with heavy seas breaking over her deck. The Horouta left Bluff about 2 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon with stores and coal for Centre Island, Puysegur Point and Milford Sound, and reached Centre Island, 23 miles from Bluff, in the early evening. She anchored in the usual anchorage, which is sheltered from southerly and westerly weather. During the night a strong easterly wind sprang up and the vessel dragged its anchor and went on to the reef at the western end of the anchorage. The Horouta is a vessel of 45 tons and was owned by Captain A. S. Miller, who was in command of her. The other members of the crew were G. Niven (engineer), W. Phillips, W. Laurie and W. Ryan. She had been owned by Captain Miller for eight years and had operated extensively on the southern coast for several years. FAST ON ROCKS The Bluff Harbour Board was informed of the grounding of the vessel by radio from Centre Island after 4 o’clock yesterday morning. The board s launch left Bluff before 6 o’clock, followed shortly after by the tug Awarua. When the launch reached Centre Island the scow was low in the water and apparently fast on the rocks. Heavy seas were breaking over the deck and most of the deck cargo had already been washed ashore. It was apparent that nothing could be done to save the vessel, and the tug ‘ could not venture near because or treacherous uncharted rocks on the sea 1 bed nearby. The launch set out to meet the tug and hailed her about a ' mile from the island. The Awarua ’ then returned to Bluff, arriving at the 1 port shortly before mid-day. The ! launch returned about an hour later. 1 All the members of the crew of the J scow were ashore and apparently were : unharmed when the launch was at the ’ island. Captain Miller and his crew ’ remained at Centre Island. ’ MAY BREAK UP QUICKLY

The easterly wind continued yesterday, and with the pounding that the scow received from the heavy seas it is feared that she will break up fairly quickly. At least one rock appeared to have holed the bottom of the Horouta, because as seas broke over her she seemed to pivot from some point near the centre.

In recent years the Horouta was engaged in bringing timber and machinery from Port Craig to Bluff. She made many trips to the southern islands. About a year ago she was delayed by bad weather when returning with a party of mutton-birders from Big South Cape Island. An aeroplane search was made and the scow was found to be sheltering safely from the weather.