STEAMER IN DANGER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17573, 25 June 1925, Page 1

STEAMER IN DANGER.

FLORA BREAKS DOWN IN HEAVY GALE.

With her engines broker Flora was most serious, when i

down, I he plight of the steamer n a hpavy gale and monstrous seas she drifted helpless in the dark during the cariv hours of this morning. Several times her engines were got in motion, only to break down again. The steamer Kamona and ■ the tug Tc Awhina have gone to the assistance of the Flora, which is. according to latest reports, running for shelter under her own steam to Red Mercury Island. , The following arc the prini cipal officers of the Flora:— Master, G. A. Gray. Mate, E. W. McDonald. Second Mate. W. A. Todd. Third Mate. K. G. Donn. Chief Steward, F. Pearson.

HELPLESS IN THE DARK. HARD GALE BLOWING. Fcr Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 25. The secretary of the Post and Telegraph Office at one o'clock this morning received the following S.O.S. message from the Union Company's steamer Flora, four miles west of Cuvier Light: "Wur engines have broken down. A hard northerly gale is blowing and there are high seas. We are drifting at five miles an hour, but may be able to proceed in half an hour.”

ENGINES GOING SLOWLY. STRUGGLE OFF CAPE COLVILLE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 25. The Flora left Auckland at 4.30 yesterday afternoon for Rarotonga. A second message stated that the engine was got going again for live minutes. but stopped again. The tug Tc Awhina left Auckland to render assistance at 3 a.m. At 2.-40 a.m. the Flora reported. "Engines going slow; endeavouring to weather Cape Colville.” TRYING TO RETURN TO PORT. TUG GOES TO RESCUE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 25. The Flora has ono passenger. Thu ship is commanded by Captain Gray. From wireless information it is gathered that the. vessel's engines had failed to continue running normally since they had been restarted after the First, breakdown and that they had stopped twice. The Flora has turned round in order to return to port. The only vessel anywhere near the Flora is the Ngapuhi, which* left Tauranga last night. However, the Flora is to the north of Mercury Island, whereas the Ngapuhi works the inside passage and would not therefore be aware of the Flora's predicament. The Ngapuhi carries a small wireless outfit, but does not maintain a regular watch for the receipt of messages, and it would only be by chance, therefore, that she would pick up any distress signals. The speed of Tc Awhina is between seven and eight knots an hour, so unless the Flora is able to come in to meet her. it will probably be noon before the tug is able to pick her up.

FLORA’S ENGINES RUNNING AGAIN. KAMONA GOES TO HER AID. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, .Tunc 25. The Flora reported at 7.1 a.m.: IT tinning for shelter to Red Mercury before a strong north-east gale under own steam. The Flora was then about sixty-nine miles from port and seventeen miles from Rod Mercury, the largest of the. Mercury Group. The steamer Kamona left port to go to the Flora's assistance at 0.30 this morning. The tug Te Awhina did not get away till 4.30 a.m.. and with her greater speed the Kamona probably rrßr reach the Flora first.

REPORTED SAFE- , OFF GREAT MERCURY ISLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. June 25. The Flora reported at J 0.30 this morning: “Expect 1o anchor in half an hour, off Great Mercury. No sign of trig. The Awahau is in attendREPAIRS BEING CARRIED OUT. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. June 25. The Flora, wirelessed at 11.25: Anchored in West Bay. (heat Merourv. Hope to have repairs effected at l p.m. and proceed to Auckland at half speed. There is a hard gale and the weather is v< ry t hirk.' ’