STAR OF CANADA ASHORE.

West Coast Times, 25 June 1912, Page 3

STAR OF CANADA ASHORE.

N. Z. TELEGRAMS.

- -- IN TROUBLE AT GISBORNE. 'pee PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPyIUOn'I. ] GISBORNE, June 24. The Tyser Company’s steamer Star of Canada, of 12,000 tons, dragged her anchors at midnight and went ashore at Gisborne beach. Her position is serious. The crew are safe. FULL DETAILS. GISBORNE, June 24. The Tyser Company’s Star of Canada was blown ashore at Kaiti beach, Gisborne, at midnight, during a fierce southerly squall. The vessel sent up distress rockets anl signalled by Morse, that she was rapidly drag-

ging her anchors on shore and asking to send a tug at once. Nelson Bros, tug, Hipi, wont alongside and Captain Hart stated ho wanted to try to put out an anchor, but the sea was to) rough to enable this to bo done. The Hipi returned to port and the vessel has since dragged in broadside on the beach. She appears to have settled down several feet, though she is still rising and falling to the sea and bumping heavily. There is water in Nos. 1, 2 and 3 holds and her position is regarded by nautical men as serious. All aboard are safe and there is no difficulty In getting ashore as tugs will be able to go alongside. Last night was the wildest experienced at Gisborne for many years, a strong southerly gale blowing (with terrific gusts. Captain Rainey, Marino Superintendent of the Tyser line, went off at 8 o’clock in the Hipi and succeeded in boarding the vessel but the launch has not yet returned. Tho Mokio arrived in the roadstead at 8 o'clock after a rough trip from Auckland. The captain of the Star of Canada states as the wind was increasing about 10 p.m., and tho . weather looked threatening, ‘ho decided to go to sea and ordered steam up. At this stage the anchor had been holding splendidly. At 10.15 the anchor was found to be dragging and before anything could ho done tho vessel had touched on tho rocks. (Efforts iwero made to back out but it was found impossi- • bio to move tho vessel either aft or forward. The engines wdro stopped and distress signals given. Tho ship was lying in the best anchorage in the bay. Ho had ridden out heavier gales, than this in tho Bay.

The rapidity with which he went on the rocks was astounding. There is 17ft of water in Nos. 1, 2, and 8 holds, extending from the bow to the bridge. Ho is hopeful of getting the vessel off. She is now resting on the rocks from amidship forward in throe fathoms.

Pumping operations are suspended as the captain considers she will rest more steadily on the bottom. No. 1 hold is now empty and there are 2,800 carcases of moat in No. 2 and No 3 is full of general cargo.

VESSEL IN SERIOUS PLIGHT. GISBORNE, Juno 24. Gloomy prognostications were to be hoard expressed on all sides in local shipping circles this afternoon, regarding tho situation and prospects . of the ill-fated Star of Canada. The weather remained boisterous all the afternoon, with occasional bursts of sunshine and frequent squalls. From tho morning tho vessel had subsided considerably by tho head and continues to bo almost broadside on to the reef, with bow eastwards. The tops of tho propellers appeared to bo out of tho water. Tiro wind was still blowing from tho south, but it was thought the galo will blow out tonight, and probably tho wind will veer more to tho eastward, which will help tho ship. Further accounts gathered from a man who was aboard the ship last night, go to show that tho experience must have been an unenviable one. Ho states ho was lying in his bunk reading, when ho noticed an unusual rolling and presently lie felt tho vessel touch the bottom and he made for the deck post haste. The ship was rolling terribly and it was almost impossible to stand on one's feet. With each roll from side to sid,e tho vessel bumped and the impact caused the great hull to quiver like a leaf. The rigging flapped together and the masts looked as if they would be shaken out of her. Our informant added that tho thumping on the rock bottom had causcl serious damage in tho engine room and the bulk-head between the engine room and the stoke hold and it was only a matter of bulging a little more and the dynamo would be put out of action. Tho main shafts also showed signs of unusual strain that was being placed upon them by *4)o bonding of tho vessels bottom.

SALVAGE PLANT SENT.

WELLINGTON, June 24,

The Marino Department received the following telegram to-day from the Collector of Customs at Gisborne:

“About midnight last night the Star of Canada, in a fierce southerly squall, dragged her anchors and went broadside on to Haiti beach. She has water in No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 holds. The officers are all standing by, but the superintendent thinks there is a fair chance of saving tiie vessel if the weather moderates. No lives were lost. Will hold a pieliminary enquiry directly the ofiCf! i can leave the vessel.”

Mr. Birkott, of the Union Company's local' store staff, left Wellington of Gisborne by the Navua, to superintend the salvage operations. The Navua also took extra salvage gear.

The Union Company’s salvage tug, Terawhiti, leaves Wellington early to-morrow morning for Gisborne, to assist in the salvage work. The Tysor liner, Star of India, which is due at Wellington to-mor-row, or on Thursday from London, via ports, will take the cargo which, was to have been shipped at Gisborne, Napier and Wellington, by tho Star of Canada.