THE RUAPEHU.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5761, 4 January 1897, Page 3

THE RUAPEHU.

FLOATED OFF. The New Zealand Shipping Company at Lyttelton received information this forenoon that the E.M.S.S. Euapehu had been safely floated off the sandbank at Cape Farewell. She will be docked upon arrival at Lyttelton.

! [Per Prkss Association.] NELSON, Jan. 4. Messrs Cock and Co., Lloyd's agents, received a telegram ihis morning stating that the Euapehu had floated off. WELLINGTON, Jan. 4. The Euapehu passed Farewell Lighthouse on her way to Wellington, at 10.20 a.m., a^od signalled all well. When the Corinna arrived she found the Hesketh, Wainui, Mawhera, Talune, Omapere and Waverley there; the latter was extremely useful as a tender. It; was found that several attempts had been made, without success, by the ship's company, to get the Euapehu off. The vessel bumped considerably, and swung right round, but did not budge. Captains Rose and Bendall boarded the Euapehu; and after a .consultation decided to tranship the passengers. They were placed in the Mawhera, and then transferred to! the Corinna.

The Talune sent a hawser aboard the steamer and started to tow her off. At first there was no effect, but gradually she ■ began to move, and ; the passengers shouted with glee. Slowly her stern swung round, when just as success seemed assured Imap went: the rope and the vessel alipped-back to her old position. The tide was now beginning to ebb, but another attempt was made, and when the Corinna left for Wellington the Mawhera and Talune were both hauling at her. There was a considerable swell on yesterday, which made the work of handling the boats one both of difficulty, and danger. This was also the case when; the Mawhera was transferring the to the Corinna, the ropes which fastened the vessels together breakingfrom repeated jerks. It was found that ,the Mawhera would be wanted to tafc'e off some of the Euapehu's cargo, and her own. passengers were sent back in the Corinna, along with the Euapehu's. There were nearly three hundred on board, and berths were made up in the hold. Although it was just on midnight, there was a large crowd awaiting her at the wharf, who cheered the ipassengers heartily. ; The depth of water where the Euapehu is lying is set down at low tide at three and a-half fathoms. The assistant light-house-keeper went down early on Saturday morning with a red. ensign, and signalled for several hours, but could get no response from the ship. The chief officer had been ill for a week or more. ' " " f

Mr Williams, of Napier, says that vyhen it appeared likely that nothing would happen, the passengers turned in on.Frjday night and slept soundly. . Great astonishment was felt on board at the accident, which happened on a fine evening, with no haze and the sea quite calm. The Corinna had a very rough trip out, the decks' being, constantly awash, off Terawhiti. ' ; The New Zealand Shipping .Company has arranged to berth, the Kuapehuland discharge her immediately on her arrival to-night. She will then be sent on to' Lyttelton and docked without delay, i Early this morning Messrs H.'Cockjand Co local agents for the New Zealand Shipping Co.,' received a telegraphic message that . the Euapehu had bee,n moved. A -late. wire came to the effect that J she .floated on the morning tide, and was rounding , the Spit. The news ; was received with great rejoicing. The steamers Kennedy and Mana probably lightered some of the forward cargo, and thus enabled the boat to be moved; A cable message notifying the floating ;was sent to the London office of the' company by Cock and Co. immediately on receipt of the news. The Kennedy should arrive here at 5 p.m. She was . on her way to Foxton, but was stopped and instructed to assist. No other details aro yet to hand. The vessel is apparently uninjured.