MISHAP TO THE WAIROA.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13752, 18 June 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

MISHAP TO THE WAIROA.

RUNS,AGROUND UNDER THE

WHARF

(From "The Colonist," May 23.) An astonishing mishap befel the s.s. Wairoa yesterdayvaftemoon at about 4.40 o'clock. The vessel was steaming up to a berth at the Railway Wharf at a fair pace, and wlhon close to the piles Captain Rickeefcts, following, his usual method of berthing the vessel, gave the telegraph signal "full ■steam astern." Instead, however, of the ship's way being checked, the Wairoa took o: sudden plunge forward, and shot under the wharf (it being low tide).

The foremast was snapped ou against the top of the wharf, and went by the board j tho ship's boat was smashed to splinters and carried away; and tho , vessel pulled up with the forepart right up on" the sand under the wharf. Two of tho crew who were standing for'ard had just time, after appreciating their peril, to skip into an alloyway, and thus avoided a possible serious injary. Luckily the passengers were all standing aft, and met with no injury. Captain Rickotts had a narrow escape froui being struck by the falling mast. The Nikau was just leaving port, and it came to the assistance of the stranded craft. Under the direction of tht harbourmaster two lines were passed to the Wairoa, and she was hauled offshore, having suffered slight damage to the hull as well as that to the top hamper.