COLLIER ASHORE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 118, 24 June 1914, Page 10

COLLIER ASHORE.

U.S.S. KAURI STRANDED. ON BEACH AT WESTPORT. HARD IN THE SAND. Press Association. WESTPORT, June 23. The Uniou Steam Ship Company's coal-carrying steamer Kauri, from Auckland, is ashore on the beach north of the eastern breakwater.

When entering at 6.40 this evening in squally weather she was apparently driven by a westerly set on to the eastern wall, and was damaged, but to what extent is not yet known. She then slewed round the breakwater and later drifted ashore or was beached some 200 yards north of the breakwater on a hard, sandy beach. From there she drifted along half a mile further north, and is no"w apparently hard and fast. No one has yet come ashore, but as there is comparatively little sea and the vessel should be almost high and dry at low water, no fears are entertained for the safety of those aboard. The vessel is under the command of Captain Buxton. A tug went out, but the Kauri is too iar inshore for her to render assistance. It is thought that if the vessel holds where she is, it will not be a very difficult task to refloat her, but nothing authoritative can be said until it is ascertained to what extent she is damaged. ENGINE ROOM FLOODED. * ' WESTPORT, Midnight. There is very little reliable data concerning the Kauri. It is understood that No. 1 hold is full of water, and that the engine room is flooded. The vessel has 30 tons of cargo for Wcstport, mainly sugar and general produce. The captain and crew are standing by the ship until low water, about 4 o 'clock, when they expect to be able to walk ashore!

[The Kauri is a steel screw steamer of 2833 tons gross register, with a deadweight carrying capacity of 5050 tons. She was purchased by the Union Steam Ship. Company in 1912 to replace the collier Kotuku, wrecked at Grey mouth. The Kauri was originally named the Harmony, and she was owned by Messrs 0. W. Harrison and Co., of London. Her builders were Furness, Withy aiid Co., of Hartlepool, where she was launched in 1905.] BEACHED TO SAVE LITE. VESSEL WAS RAPIDLY FILLING. Prets Association. . ;., WESTPORT, June 24. Captain. Buxton and the other members of the crew carnie ashore at low tide. ''....... • The vessel, is hard and fast on a level sandy bottom. Captain Ruxtori reports that a westerly set.put the steamef on the wall, and water made its way into No. 1 and No. 2 holds, and in the engine room. The vessel was rapidly filling, and was in danger of sinking, and to save the lives of those on board he beached her. ..,■ ..' .••■ •: ■."■ .' - : .•■•'' : ".' ; '.'

Very little water was taken over the side, and the vessel settled in the sand, where she lay steadily.

The weather at the time of the mishap w»& fresh, with a westerly breeze and rain, and there was a moderate swell on the bar.

The Union Company's tug Terawhiti, with salvage gearj and Captains Stott and Burkett accompanying her, left Wellington at noon to assist in the work of refloating the vessel.

'damage not ascertainable. Later.

As no survey of the Kauri has yet been made, the captain and the chief engineer can give no information as to the damage to the steamer. All hands landed safely through the surf at 4 o 'clock this morning. The vessel lies bow on to the sea.

TO THE RESCUE. Press Association. WELLINGTON, June.24.

The tug Terawhiti will leave this afternoon for Westport to assist in the salvaging of the Kauri. The material shipped included a quantity of gear used in refloating the . Iridrabarah.