THE PUTIKI
DETAILS OF SINKING WELLINGTON, June 14. Tho Putiki, a steamer built in 1904 in Auckland, wen to her final rest beneath the waves yesterday afternoon. The motor-ship Awahou, with the Putiki in tow, left tho Dock Wharf at 11.45 a.m. When the ships were passing through tho Heads, the tow rope, because of the swell, broke. A surf boat was launched, and the rope was picked up and taken on board within twenty minutes. Speed was reduced, and at 4.30 p.m. the vessels arrived at the “burial ground,” three and a-half miles east of Turakirao Head. Captain Coldicutt, the master of the Awahou, Mr J. Henderson, second mate, and a seaman, went off in a surf boat to the Putiki. Captain Coldicutt placed two charges under the boiler. The second charge went off forty seconds after the first. A minute after the first charge exploded the Putiki settled slightly at tho stern, and took a list to port. Then, slowly and most gracefully, she began to sink. There was a rush of air from both ends of the vessel, and eight minutes after the explosion of the charges she was beneath the waves. The time was seven minutes to five. The operation of sinking the Putiki was excellently carried out by Captain Coldicutt and his officers and crew.
The Awahou arrived back at the wharf at 7 o’clock.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19320615.2.82
Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 139, 15 June 1932, Page 8
Word Count
230THE PUTIKI Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 139, 15 June 1932, Page 8
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