THE KAIRAKI FOUNDERED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 37, 30 September 1914, Page 4

THE KAIRAKI FOUNDERED.

THE WRECK LOCATED IN TWELVE FATHOMS. Puicon amoojatioh.J Greymouth, September 29. This morning at about eight o’clock the Harbour Board’s tug Westland left Greymouth for the purpose of making a search along the north beach and in the vicinity of Point Elizabeth for any signs of the missing vessel Kairaki. After cruising about for some time, the wreck was located ofl Point Elizabeth at about 11.30. Three of the ship’s derricks were viaibl® above the water. The position where the wreck was located is situated 2J miles from Point Elizabeth, and 33 miles distant from the Greymouth signal station. The vessel is lying in twelve fathoms of water, and, being right in the track of shipping, presents some danger to vessels making the trip to and from Greymouth, so that no doubt the authorities will take steps as early as possible to remove the danger. From her position it is apparent that. the vessel must have foundered, and this could only have been brought about by the ship becoming unmanageable through accident to her machinery. This disposes of many of the theories as to the probable fate of the ship, and leaves no doubt that she became a victim to the fury of the elements last Friday night or Saturday morning, when she was probably in a helpless condition. The search party yesterday saw no signs of any further wreckage. Immediately on return to port, Captain McPherson communicated with the Customs authorities, and supplied them with particulars of the search. Mr P. Davies, of the Customs Office, then wired the Marine Department, Wellington, as follows:—“Wreck of Kairaki located bearing S.S.W .mag-a uetic, two and a-quarter miles from Point Elizabeth, N.W.’ by N. magnetic distant three and three-quarter mile* from Greymouth signal station; twelve fathoms; derrick ends visible; dangerous to shipping.” Wreckage continues to come ashore on the Ten-mile and Seventeen-mile beaches, but so far there are no traces of the bodies of the victims of the wreck, and it is probable they will never be recovered. The several stretches of beach are being regularly patrolled by the police and others.

HELP FOR DEPENDENTS. Wellington, September 29. The Wellington Wharf Laborers’ Union to-day voted £25 to the dependents of the men lost in the Kairaki wi’eck.