STRUCK BIG ROCK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20233, 17 February 1934, Page 11

STRUCK BIG ROCK.

Holmglen Damaged Off Akaroa. LIMPS INTO PORT. Striking Pompey’s Pillar, a rock near Long Bay, Banks Peninsula, at 3 o’clock this morning, the coastal steamer Holmglen, bound from Timaru to Lyttelton, was badly damaged. She reached Lyttelton half an hour after noon. Her stem is broken and several plates on the starboard side were badly holed. The accident happened in the dense fog which hung low around the coast this morning. The vessel had followed her usual route from Timaru, with the intention of loading at Lyttelton to-day for Wellington, Wanganui, New Plymouth and Waikato. Without warning, the vessel ran on this lone rock, stopping dead with a tremendous jerk. Thrown From Bunks. The look-out and those on the bridge were nearly thrown off their feet by the violence of the shock, while the watch below were thrown from their bunks. All that saved the vessel from destruction was the fact that she was travelling at a very slow speed on account of the fog. In no time, the forepart of the vessel was floated, tons of water pouring in through the rent in the bows. Onlv the strong watertight bulkhead holding back the water prevented the Holmglen from foundering. Immediately the vessel struck, her engines were reversed, and she slid off the rock into deep water. The crew, alarmed at the wav in which the water was pouring in. prepared to abandon the ship. LifebeUs were donned and lifeboats were lowered. After standing by for a few hours, however, it was found that the pumps could cope with the water, and the Holmglen limned off for Lyttelton. All necessary precautions were taken, however, and the Holmglen made for Lyttelton at dead slow speed. In addition, the boats were examined and made ready for use if an emergency should arise. Expensive Repairs. It is estimated that repairs will cost several hundreds of pounds. The cargo will be unloaded and the vessel will then be docked at Lyttelton. The Holmglen is a motor-ship of 478 tons and is under the command of C aptain Mead. She is owned by the Dunedin-Wanganui Shipping Company. Ltd., and the local agents are Messrs Kinsey and Co., Ltd. Pompey’s Pillar is well known to seamen as one of the danger spots on the coast of the Peninsula. It can be clearly seen on a fine day, but its base is in the form of a reef which extends for a considerable distance.