WANGANUI RIVER STEAMER WRECKED.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12738, 9 March 1910, Page 1 (Supplement)

WANGANUI RIVER STEAMER WRECKED.

PLUCKY ACTION OF TWO OF THE CREW.

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Christchurch, Feb. 23. A special -message to "The Press" states 1 that Messrs Hatrick and Co.'s river steamer Waiua was wrecked last night at 7.30, seven miles above Pipiriki. Thirty passengers from Taumarunui, who, were making the through trip, were on board, mostly English and Australian tourists. The vessel, which was two hours late, bumped ovar some dangerous rapids, and fouled a snag, which tore a hole four feet long in the hull forward of the bridge; The captain,, ran tho boat ashoro on a stony bank near by. Fires were lighted and hot tea was served out. A raft was hastily constructed, and two of the crew sailed down to Tipiriki at ten o'clock to procure help. At lM this morning a relief ' steamer' arrived. Another! nerve-shattering experience followed for three" hours, as the boat bumped and scraped down the dangerous ripids in the weird gloom. One lady, & Miss Jacob, of Dublin, had already endured a similar experience when, the steamer Waikare was wrecked, i and last night's incident greatly upset her. The luggage in the hold where the vessel struck is badly damaged. At Pipiriki some of the passengers were transferred to the Wanganui boat, but othefra were too fa-tigued-to' go on, and remained -behind The master and the crew ,did I all that was possible to minimise the .discomforts of the situation. t The action- of. the two : meh ingoing down the river on, asmall raft at night over the dangerous rapids, is worthy of very great praise.