STRANDED STEAMER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 257, 30 October 1928, Page 10

STRANDED STEAMER

GROUNDED IN SMOKE HAZE A PANIC STRICKEN ARAB Strong currents and the haze from bush, fires on the coast were the cause of the stranding of the steamer Kinross on Cato Island reef, 200 miles oil' the Queensland coast, on the night of Sunday, October 7, according to storictold by members of the crew, on arrival of the steamer in Newcastle a few days later. 'lhe men were enthusiastic in expressing their admiration of the work done by the master, Captain Patterson, in quelling a panic that seemed likely to arise among a section of the crew when the vessel struck and afterwards in devising measures that led to the refloating of the steamer on October 10. Th e Kinross, which was bound from Nauru to Melbourne with a cargo of phosphates, was said to be travelling at a fair speed. The heavy smoke hung low on the sea and reduced visibility to 100 yards. The sea was calm and there was no sound of breakers to indicate that danger was near. The vessel struck heavily and a terrific bump was the first indication that anything untoward was about to happen. The crew put on lifebelts and rushed for the boats. Nine Arabs are included ; among those on board, and one of them jlell into a violent panic. For a moment it seemed that his hysterics might spread 1.. tie- others, but Captain Patterson was >oon in command of the situation. He pointed out that the steamer shov. rd no sign of settling down.and told the men that they would be wi-e to remain on board. The lifeboats were m»t lowered and. although I many spent an uneasy night, when | dawn came it was obvious that the earner v.a.- not in danger of breaking up. .Salvage operations wore ian.:ediately put afoot. A lifeboat was luweicd and 1

two anchors placed in position out at sea. It* was attempted to refloat the Kinross with her own power. Twice the venture seemed likely to end in failure. On Monday the hawser broke aud on Tuesday one of the two anchors was pulled out of position. At high tide on Weilnesdav evening the crew felt the vesuri moving below them and a few minutes later the Kinross was again floating in deep water. It was believed that only slight damage forward was dune to the Kinross. Little waler was coining into the ship.