NARROW ESCAPE OF THE S.S. WAIHORA.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XVII, Issue 5409, 19 February 1886, Page 3

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE S.S. WAIHORA.

[Per Press Association.]

• Wellington, Thursday. Information has been received in town that the s.s. Waihora, bound from Hobart to Melbourne, struck near Eddystone Point at 2.15 p.m. yesterday, and was beached at Swan Island. The Point ia on the eastern coast of Tasmania, and the island is a few miles above it in Banks's Strait, near Cape Portland. The passengers and crew of the s.s. Waihora were saved, and the former are being taken on to a low Head near Launceston by the steamer Flinders.

Later. Melbourne, Thursday. The Waihora left Hobart on Tuesday evening for Melbourne, having on board over 200 passengers. The weather was fine. When abreast of the Eddystone the vessel struck on a rock which she passed over. She was immediately put back into Sandy Bay, but afterwards steamed on to Swan Island, whore, as she was making water fast, and had eight feet of her plating knocked off her bow, she was beached, and now lies with seven feet of water in her hold. The Southern Cross came alongside at 4 p.m. and rendered assistance required. Capt McGee and the orew of the Waihora remain with the ship. It is stated that the rock is one not marked on the chart.

News to hand from the cable station, Low Heads, Tasmania, that the Union Co.'s s.s. Waihora, while on her voyage from Hobart to Melbourne, struck on the Eddystone Rock Point, at the extreme northcast of Tasmania at 2 p.m. yesterday. The vessel proceeded some distance after striking, but the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Co.'s s.s. Southern Cross coming alongside, and the water gaining fast in the forehold, the captain decided to beach her at Swan Island, Banks Straits, which was accordingly done. The crew and passengers were safely landed at Swan Island, and were afterwards transferred ■ by the Southern Cross to Low Heads, whence they will be picked up and brought to Melbourne by the s.s. Flinders to-morrow.

Later advices regarding the Waihora state that the vessel has settled down on the sand, about a hundred jards distantj from the shore.' Stienuous exertions are being made by the officers and crew to save the horses. The weather continues favourable, and hopes are entertained, that the live stock may be safely got ashore. The steamer Eiherole and the tug Tronean have been despatched with pumps to Swan Island. It has also been arranged that the Southern Cross shall bring on,, the Waihora's passengers to Melbourne.

The Waihora is injured for £49,000, of which £7,000 is in thp London, and £12,000 in the Colonial offices, the company's own risk being £20,000.