THE WESTMORELAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12636, 22 May 1919, Page 5

THE WESTMORELAN.

STRIKES GROUND AT BLUFF VESSEL’S EVENTFUL CAREER. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, May 22. At a late hour last night Messrs Turnbull, Martin and Co- received advice that the steamer Westmoreland, which left the Bluff at 6.15 p.m. yesterday with the intention of proceeding to Wellington, had struck ground pretty heavily while leaving the southern port; and though suffering injury had continued her voyage. It was the intention of the captain to bring the resscj to Port Chalmers, where docking facilities are available. - DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT. DUNEDIN, May 22. The Westmoreland reached Port Chalmers at 9.30 a.m. to-day. On leaving the Bluff last night she bumped heavily in the vicinity of Channel Rock, which.is said to he the same place where the Knight of the Garter sustained damage a. few years ago. The Westmoreland evidently sustained serious damage, as her ballast tanks in Nos. 1. 2 and 8 holds were filled with water. There is also a leak in the engine-room. Number six tank, near the stern, which was previously filled with fresh water, is now salt, indicating a leakage there also. The Westmoreland, which is practically a now ship, is op her second voyage to the Dominion. ' During the Inst voyage she was on fire in New Zealand and on the trip Homo she was torpedoed near_ the English coast and beached at Whitehaven, where she lay three months. Biibscciuont repairs taking about_ nine months. The Westmoreland is now' about thrcc-riuarters loaded with frozen meat and other produce. most of which was loaded in Australia. and which will be discharged at Port Chalmers before the steamer'dockfor repairs- These are likely to be fairly extensive.