THE MISHAP TO THE S.S. ULIMAROA.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12479, 4 March 1909, Page 1

THE MISHAP TO THE S.S. ULIMAROA.

The "Otago Daily Times," in noticing the mishap to the steamer '"Ulimaroa at Quarantine Island, when she damaged her plates, says: —'■■'.. . - Although she has sustained : somewhat serious damage to her hull, her escape from'far more serious -..■" quences is cause for hearty congratulation, and those conversant with-the locality consider that Captain Wyllie deserves great credit for getting his ship off .with so little damage..The width of the channel between the islands is 360 feet on the water level. At the Goat Island side the rocky walls are almost perpendicular, and vessels may go within two or three feet with safety,. but .on the Quarantine Island several rocky pinnacles extend.into the channel for about 40 feet, and it was upon one of these that the Ulimaroa struck, the rock being about 19 feet below water level. Owing to the force of the ebb tide, the vessel hung there helplessly •'•■ for a few seconds, and then in obedience to increased engine power she slid off again into deep water. Had the rock penetrated the vessel's hull what might have happened may be easily imagined. Being firmly supported on her port side amidships, she would have gradually listed over to starboard (across the channel) as the tide receded. As her great. weight became more supported by thej rock the hull plates would have crumpled up like egg shells and the vessel would have either hung there until the tide rose again oi* else she would have rippedupherbilges-in an effort to maintain an even keel. - Other vessels have broken ;their backs under somewhat similar conditions.