MISHAP TO KINI.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18850, 13 April 1931, Page 6

MISHAP TO KINI.

SUBMERGED OBJECT STRUCK. By Telegraph— Press Association WELLINGTON, April 11. The Union Company’s steamer, Kini, reported by radio at 11.30 last night, that she had struck a submerged object in the vicinity of Bare Island. The Kini’s bilges are leaking, and the propeller is damaged. The water was well under control. There was a dense fog at the time. VESSEL REACHES NAPIER. By T»l®traph—Press Asboclj : •*>». NAPIER, April 11. Dense fog encountered near Bare Island, on the east coast, some miles south of Cape Kidnappers, was responsible for the Union Steam Ship Co’s, cargo vessel Kini striking a submerged object on the trip from Wellington to Napier last night. The mishap did not cause damage sufficiently serious to prevent the vessel continuing her trip. She reached Napier at 10 o'clock last night, lying at anchor in the roadstead until 7 a.m., when she was berthed at the breakwater. It is not likely that the extent of the damage to the Kini’s hull will be known for some time, as a start was made only to-day on the inspection of the underwater portion of the vessel. Until Bare Island was reached the trip from Wellington, and the vessel’s positions were very good, said the master, Captain G. D. Fraser, in a statement made this morning. At Bare Island, however, a dense fog was encountered, and as the Kini was feeling her way through, the shock of an impact with some submerged object was felt. It was discovered that the vessel was not making water at an alarming rate, and steps were immediately taken to empty the oilges. Upon arrival at Napier about 10 o'clock the Kini was anchored in the roadstead, berthing at Glasgow wharf about 7 o’clock this morning. The inspection of the underwater portion of the vessel was commenced later this morning by the Napier Harbour Board’s diver. It is not impossible that the object which the hull of the Kini struck was a rock, or portion of the ocean bed which was raised by the earthquake of February 3or by the subsequent tremors, as investigations have shown that the submarine effects of the I I shakes felt since February 3 have been ! Quite as extensive as those on the mainland. The Kini has a complement of 25. Her cargo for Napier included 400 tons of coal from Westport and a quantity of general cargo from Wellington. DAMAGE NOT SERIOUS. j By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, April 12. Examination by a diver on arrival here revealed slight damage to the propeller and one plate, but this will not delay the Kini’s departure for Gisborne to-morrow, as per schedule.