KAHU REFLOATED.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1919, Page 4

KAHU REFLOATED.

NOW DISCHARGING CARGO. £HE LEAK LOCATED. ' ' By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Niglit. The following wireless message has been received by the agents of the Kahu: "Kahu refloated. Discharging at Whangaroa. Not leaking. Now at anchor." " A later message state the captain, discovered a leak into the engine-roqm through the telegraph casing being smashed. Ho is now ascertaining if the hull is leaking. Napier, Last Night. Advices received from the Chathams by Messrs Richardson and Co. state that the Kahu will return under its .own steam, leaving to-morrow. The leak has been located and the Kahu. is now seaworthy. The Mako is not now proceeding W ithe Chathams. Messrs Richardson and Co. state in reference to the telegraphed account of the mishap, in which it was said there were no pumps on the Kahu, that the vessel carries pumps, which are surveyed annually, and on this occasion .they were out of action b ybeing choked ■with coal. HOW THE WATER WAS CHECKED. PASSENGERS' TRYING EXPERIENCE., Christchurch, Last Niglit The latest wireless advices from the Chathams state that, after the Kahu's fires were extinguished the vessel was at the mercy of the heavy seas, and preparations were made to launch boats, although all were of opinion that boats would not have lived in the rough sea. The stern of the vessel at this timtf was practically under water. The captain, as a last resource, put all hands to baling the ship prior to abandoning Iter, and, after strenuous efforts, the water in the stokeholds was reduced, and from this on the water was kept in check.

The fires were re-lit, but the coal had to be handed down to the stokehold from the deck in buckets. The leak was not located, but it is supposed to be under the engine-room, and that was temporarily blocked by coal. The captain's son, aged five, not understanding the danger, expressed disappointment that the vessel was not alniting, as he wanted to see the boats launched. Many of the crew and passengers had no sleep for sixty hours. The cargo is now being discharged on the beach at Whangaroa, and launches are arranging to convey supplies to Owenga, where the food shortage is acute.