AGROUND ON N.S.W. COAST

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1931, Page 7

AGROUND ON N.S.W. COAST

STEAMER IN SERIOUS PLIGHT CREW OF THIRTY; NO PASSENGERS STRANDING IN FOGGY MORNING. By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Rec. 11J55 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 20; The steamer Newton Elm, with a crew of 30, went ashore eight miles from Crescent Head, 180 milee north of Newcastle, yesterday and to-night was still aground and reported to be in a serious plight. There are no passengers. ' The Newton Elm sailed from Newcastle on Friday for Sydney and London via pacific Islands. The cargo consists partly of huge cables used in the construction of the Sydney harbour bridge. The weather was fine but foggy when the vessel grounded at 9 o’clock yesterday morning. The news was carried by a horseman and reported by wireless to the Sydney agents. The master,, Captain Toder, said the ship was on a sandy shoal. Tugs were sent from Newcastle. Captain Toder’s message expressed the hope that the ship would be refloated with the evening tide. The vessel was reported to-night, however, to be fast in the sand with a heavy list. Tugs have been unable to ( shift her but further attempts will be made to-morrow. The weather is fairly calm.