ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. ROTOMAHANA.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2767, 6 August 1883, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. ROTOMAHANA.

(Bt Teleoraph.) Invercargili,, Aug. -i. The stoamor Eotomahana, when coming from Dunodin to Bluff, Btruck on Waipapa Reef, about tho s«me place as where tho Tararua atrnok. She bumped several times, but floated off in half-an-honr. Ou reaching the Blnff one blade of tho propellor was found to be broken and two others carried away. The vessel will return to Port Chalmers. Tho lighthouse at Waipapa will not be finished for two months, having been delayed through various causes. Bluff, Ang. 4. The Botomahana has just arrived. At twenty minutes to •!• thi.s morning she struck WaipapaPoint, about the samo placo that tho Tararna struck. She bnmped several times and remained on tho rocks about half-an-hour. Tho tide was three-quarters flood. Tho sea was smooth fortunately, and as the tide mado she floated off and came on here. She is making no water, but an examination of her propeller shows that two blades have been carried away and two pieces broken off. Tho other blade cannot bo examined to the bottom here, consequently she will return to Port Chalmer3. She i3 at present discharging cargo, and will take nothing in. The very fino weather prevailing haa ■ doubtless provented a repetition of the Tararua disaster. Later. The survey of tho Eotomahana shows no pcreeptiblo damage, except the propeller broken. The accident happened at a quarter to 4. The vessel was then supposed to be entering tho middle of Foveaux Straits, about four miles clear of the land, steering a course to clear the Waipapn. When the vessel struck the second mate was in charge on tho bridge and Captain Carey wa3 below. Tho night was clear, but there was a haze over the land ; a light southerly wind, with a heavy roll from the southward. She struck about a milo and a-half off the land, and remained there an hour, bumping slightly. Tho engines were put full speed astern without moving her, and full speed ahead was tried with the samo result. Then a heavy swell rolled in, which mad her bnmp once very heavily, after which a second swell lifted her off the rocks, and she steamed clear. The boats were all got ready and life-belts served out to the crew and passengers, although the steerage passengers complained that there wore no life-belts in the steerage, and several had to go down into the saloon to take belts ont of tho berths. Complete order was maintained on board, and Captain Caroy was quite master of the situation, ordering everything to be done without conf U3ion. The sea was quite smooth. There was a heavy swell but no break. The Otara reef was visible outside the position of the vessel, aa well as between her and the shore. She sails for Port Chalmers at 3 p.m. The . southerly swell throughout the night and a strong spring flood tide, it is surmised, set her further in shore than was expeoted. Tho Rotomahana's accident has given rise to strong comment on the delay in erecting tho lighthouse on Waipapa. Timber for the tower has been brought from the North, although there is plenty all round the site of the lighthouse. It is considered that after tho Tararua experience there should have been a temporary light till a permanent tower was •stablished. Dunedin, Aug. 5. The Botomahana arrived safaly at daylight this morning. Captain Caray makes tho following statement i — We were steering along our ordinary course and took our departure from Slope Point. I saw Brothers Point and Waikawa harbor. Slope Point was the last point of land wo saw, and we passed it about threo or four mile3 off. We shaped our course west-by-south, which would tako us fully throo miles off the shallow part. We were going abont eight or nine knots an hour, and I think the current must have taken her in. Thoro was at the time a slight swell from southward and the wind was off shore. At 3 o'clook a.m' I shaped the course west-bysouth off Slopo Point. The second officer, Mr Greaham, was on the look-out bridge and I was on the hurricano bridge, looking out for tho Dog Island light at the time of the casualty. It was about 3.45 a.m. when tho second officer telegraphed "stop." I rushed to tha telegraph on tho hurricane deck and put it " full speed astern." The second officer had seen what ho thought to be breakers on tho port bow. He saw a white streak, and immediately telegraphed "stop," acting with great promptitude. As soon as I had telegraphed " full speed astern" I went up on tho look-out bridge and took charge, tho second officer going to his station at the boats. Aftor going full speed astern for some short time, and tho vessel's way having been stoppod, she touched lightly. The current then slewed her round like a top, sending her round so as to head aorthward in two or three minutes. Then I put the helm hard aport to try and get her off. The engines were going full speed astern all the time and the vessel touohed on tho stern, bumping rather heavily, and I put the helm hard aport again and went ahead. The lead was kept going and we found tho ship was forging ahead; the man reported from t five to seven fathoms. I then saw a rock on the starboard bow and at once went astern again, put the helm a-starboard and crawled along the shore, bringing Slope Point on tho starboard bow, the vessel heading to the eastward. That was the only outlet I could see and I went for threo or four minute3 that •way. The man at the lead reported seven nine and eleven fathoms, and then for a time ho gave "no bottom." I said "What is it nowf" and he replied "Seventeen fathoms and no bottom." The vessel, I think, must have touohed on the edge of the reef. When we got into seventeen fathoms of water I stopped, and then saw the Tiog Island light, bearing about west, but only saw the light twice. Wo stayed in that position till daylight and then steamed for the Bluff, arriving there about 9.30 a.m. I cannot account for the vessel striking the reef, except by supposing that a current set her in shore Tho course taken should have cleared everything. Wo had two logs over and I tested them at theNuggets and found only a milo difference between them in 56 miles. When the vessel struck every man went to hU station and tho boats were lifted off the chocks ready for swinging ont The passengers behaved splendidly. One man came on the bridge but went away immediately I told him to The ship only struck heavily twice. I think we must have- gone astern against the ledge of the reef, bnt the first bump must have been on the sand. From the above statement it will be seen that the- account telegraphed from the Bluff •was entirely wrong in stating that Captain Caroy was below and the steamer in charge of the second offioer at the time of the mishap.

Captain Caroy was in charge on deck, and had been thero on duty all night. Tho passengors maintained the utmost composuro and calmness, and those interviewed apeak in the very higliost terms o£ tho condnot of tho captain ami officers, to which they mainly attribute the ahsonco of any panic. Tho fact of Captain Carev having extricated tho ship from her perilous position i3 considered by tho crow and passengers as nothing short of miraculous. Every man of tho crew wont promptly to his post, and the firemen, whoso turn itwas to go on duty below at -1 o'clock, took up their stations as if nothing had happenod. A great many of tho passengers left tho vessol at tho Ulufi'. The steamer was twonty minutes among tho rocks and remained in tho vicinity in deep wator until daylight, tho first bump having occurred at about 10 minutes to 4 o'clock. Sho will bo dockod hera. This is tho first mishap Captain Caroy has had in hi3 long oxperionce.