STEAMER HOLED BY SNAG

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1930, Page 11

STEAMER HOLED BY SNAG

MISHAP IN WAIHOU RIVER SENSATIONAL INRUSH OF WATER. VESSEL SINKS ALONGSIDE WHARF. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Thames, Last Night. Striking a snag this morning during a heavy fog, the Northern Steamship Company’s Taniwha, en route from Auckland to Paeroa, just got to Puriri wharf before she sank. When seen by a reporter this morning, Captain J. Freeman said the vessel left Auckland about midnight in the usual way and arived at the mouth of the Waihou, going up on the tide. She landed mails at Turua and left the wharf at 5.20 a.m. bound for Puriri, where she had a passenger to land. After leaving Turua the vessel steamed up the river and at 5.35 a.m. lan into a heavy fog bank. Speed was reduc to a crawl. Just as the vessel was abreast of the Puriri beacon at 5.40 she struck heavily what appeared to be a snag. It was at once thought something serious had occurred, for the crew could hear water rushing in and the vessel began to settle by the bow. Harte was made to Puriri wharf, where the vessel was made fast. By the time the captain was able to get on to the wharf the vessel had sunk and was resting on the mud. All haste was made to send out mooring lines fore and aft to the wharf and also to the banks to secure the vessel in an upright position. Meantime the tide was rising rapidly and, being a strong spring tide, filled the holds at once. . , . .. As she lies now the Taniwha is well down at the stern and full of water right up to the deck. The engine room is flooded. Before the boat went down it was found possible to land the two-year-old racehorse Hunting Horn, returning after running at the Avondale races. As long as it was possible to maintain a head of steam the crew bustled, landing as much of the cargo as possible, but finally water drove the stokehold gang out, rising very rapidly and putting outYhe fires. There is about 100 tons of cargo aboard, consigned to Paeroa and Puriri as well as other landings tin the river. Much of it is fuel oil, but a quantity is perishable goods for several stores in the district. It is practically all under ’ water. The crew lost the w'hole of their bed.ding and belongings. Captain Freeman has commanded the Taniwha for the last 16 years, having taken over on the outbreak of the war. This is the first time he has been involved in any loss. Mr. W. Stone, chief engineer, who was on watch at the time of the mishap, stated that the inrush of water was very rapid, the ship sinking only ten minutes after striking the snag. The Taniwha is a screw steamer of £63 tons gross and 191 tons net register, 108 feet long and 23 feet in beam. She has been trading, around the locality for a number of years.