THE WAIKARE ROCK.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12767, 13 April 1910, Page 4

THE WAIKARE ROCK.

AMOKURA FINDS UNCHARTED . ,^~- ? 'r^^PATOHv- ',>*.i"tirX

The unoharted *ook which , qajißed the wreck of the Union Company s fine passenger, steamer Waikare has apparently been located by the Governmeint training steamer Amokura, which returned -to the Bluff on Saturday morning from Dusky Sound, 'lhe Amokura was despatched to search for the obstruction, aid Commander Hooper telegraphed to. the Marine/Department "as follows :— "Disoclvered that a rocky patch exists bearing north" 25 degrees' east magnetic, from the north-west point of Indian Island. Th» least depth, ascertained was_:l2ft »t low wator, ordinary spring tides. The -outermost rock of the patch is distant jupwards of one :: and a: half cable» from the point pieintionedj and. is 'distant' one cablet- from fore-, shore. The patch is in extent a quarter cable east .^north-east and slightly jess in widih and is steep to on the north *nd western: sides, having, a channel' between it and tho f«ros.!:ore carrying six to seventeen tcii-iionis of j water.. Excepting; this . patchy the channel on the north-western ' side; of Indian. lsland appears clear, the ship failing to' find' 1 anything else with wAh- twenty fathoms sounders which the ship. .constantly.;. trailed," . t The positioii'.of 'the patch" ispracß-' cally identical with the spot where; the Waikaro was reported to have struck. At the Nautical Inquiry held ai Puriedin on" January 12th, Captain Newtoni of. the Waikare, Baid. in his eVidence that' the vessel strupk'off the north-west portion^ of Indian Island, when a . couple of cables distant' from . Indian; Island. The. contact lasted about 'five, seconds, and shortly afterwards the engineer came on to -the bridge and .reported that water was entering the engine-room. . So.far 'as could-be judged the obstruction was from 15 to 20 feot under water. : The ship' was drawing 15ft'9in forward and 17ft 4in aft when she struck, and iit was'^bout low water at. the time; ■