SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10196, 4 July 1911, Page 1

SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

FOUNDERING OF A STEAMER. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. CHRISTIANIA, July 3. The Norwegian steamer Eclipse, with a crew of fifty-six, foundered off La.iigancs, Iceland. A BARQUE "WRECKED. SYDNEY, July 3. The barque Hjordis, formerly the Nairnshire, bound from West port to Ponape with 1300 tons of coal, was driven ashore on a reef off the island of Ponape on June 3, and within two hours became a complete, wreck. The captain and crew, totalling fourteen, were saved. The vessel had made a record passage of thirty-ono days. .There was 110 pilot or tug to assist her m a dangerous passage. The wind fell and the current set her ashore. Soon the wind sprang tip and the vessel bumped her bottom out. Next day she almost capsized and was then abandoned.. The crew waited at Ponape for eight days before they were picked up by the steamer Germania and brought to Sydney. The captain states that he waited outside for two days signalling for a tug, not caring to enter owing to the proximity of numerous reefs. Then a wnaleboat from the island informed him that he would have to negotiate the passage himself.

THE STRANDING OF THE I'ELOTAS. [Per Press Association-.] WANGANLI, July 3. Mt F. V. Frazer and Captains Post and Grey (assessors) sat to-day to inquire into the recent stranding of the barquentine Pelotas. The evidence showed that the vessel had been towed over the bar by the Freezing Company's, lighter Thistle, and when Hearing the entrance to the river a heavy fresh overpowered the lighter, the captain of which shouted to the captain of the Pelotas that he would have to tow him to sea again. This was tried, but when the vessels reached the end of the mole the current carried the Pelotas ashore. At the inquiry to-day both masters and the pilot'were of opinion that everything; was done to prevent the disaster. TTie question was raised as to whether it would not have been better to have dropped anchor when the current became too strong. Opinion was divided, some witnesses thinking such a course would linve been useless as the anchors would not have held. The Court will give its judgment in the morning.