A PREVIOUS WRECK.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 1352, 15 June 1907, Page 5

A PREVIOUS WRECK.

THE S.S. GAIRLOGH.

On the 6th January, 1903, the Northern Company's steamer Gairloch went ashore on the Tiinarji. Reef, about ten miles southward of New Plymouth, under, weather conditions very similar to those; which the Kia Ora experienced on her ill-fated *trip. The Gairloch left Onehunga on the preceding Saturday for Wanganui, intending to call at intermediate ports on the way down. She put. in afe Raglan, and Kawhia, leaving the latter port at about two o'clock on the afternoon of Monday ,sth January. If the weather was fine, it was the captain's intention to work Opunake on the w.ay dowii #xr Wanganui, but if it was impossible, *he, would have visited Opunake on his return from the southern f port. Coming^ out from" Kawhia, the vessel fduad herfeelf in thejtforth Taranaki Bight, and shaped a course to. clear the TaranakTcoast. The night came down very black and stormy, rain falling in torrents. So pitoh black was the night that it was said the Gairloch nearly collided with her sister ship, the Ngapubi, which left the breakwater for Onehunga on Monday, night. The two vessels were in close proximity to each other before their lights became visible : the whistles were at once set going, and by smart and careful seamanship a collision was avoided, and the Gairloch proceeded south, to meet disaster a few hours later. The sea was comparatively smooth, bvk the weather was ve*-y dirty, and the gloom so thick that it was impossible to see anything ahead. At about twenty minutes before midnight, those on board the Gairloch felt the vessel strike something, over which she appeared to. glide as if on a smooth bottom. Then she stuck fast. The crew remained on the steamer until daylight, using the time to provision their .boats. At daylight they launched the two boats and pulled some distance out to sea, where they -caught sight of the Sugar Loaves. They then pulled towards the breakwater, having a distance of some seven miles to cover 3 and effected a landing at 6.30 ft.m. - The Gairloch's cargo consisted chiefly of sugar from the Northcoto Sugar Works, Auckland. This was consigned to Wanganui. The stqaj^ 16 . 1 " meant a loss to the company of, approximately* £12,000, although for that amount an equally good vessel to take her place could not have been provided. Ht appears that the company does not insure jts steamers. Up to the da*e of the wreck of the Gairloch it had been very lucky, she being the first to become a total loss, although minor mishaps iiavajQCCjarred to other vessels of the fleet. The commander: efctbArt Gairloch was Captain Austen, and her full complement of men, was 21.. Mr. ? Arthur was chief officer, Mr. Packaberry second officer, Mr.. Fuller chief engineer, and Mr. McGee second engineer^ i The steamer" was. built in 1885 by Blaokwood aty&Gordori, of Port Glasgow. The Kia Ora was also built at the same place, but by a firm, namely, Duaeaiuand Co. Of exoellent build, and we^esiaJjHPed, the Gairloch was originally- intended for the .Waitara cattle trade, '.and* 1 for-j£6&fie time ran between that -per* and Onehunga. She had* ample passenger" "accommodation, there being amidships a- handsome saloon capable of holding 50 persons, "while ,abaft the engine-room was accommodation for ninety second-class passengers. Her first visit to* Waitara was made m 1885, whon a luncheon was given on board by the company. f\ In one respect. tb.e. 'wreck «# the Gairloch can never be So niemorable as that of the J£ia Ora, fpr t£e. reason— a sad one-^that by thq. wreck 1 of. the latter t|iree lives have^fteen lost, '. while the crew of the Gairloch never appeared to be in very serfbus dan'gery-the" vessel striking on a spqt, - fahich could be reached on foot_ajt low water. The loss of life through the disaster which befel the Kia Ora is, we Relieve, the first in the history of the Northern Steamship Company. > "»•»*■•' ''"•

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