ACCIDENT TO THE WAKATU.

Westport Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1967, 17 January 1882, Page 3

ACCIDENT TO THE WAKATU.

The screw steamer Wakatu, which has been trading between this port, Nelson, and Wanganui, met with a serious accident yesterday morning. The steamer left Wanganui at 9 o'clock on Thursday night, and when between Terawhiti and Sinclair's Head struck what is known as Tour's Bock. Captain Greagher, the master, gave no written report to the Collector of Customs, but stated that after rounding Terawhiti he went below to wash his hands. Before leaving the deck he cautioned the second officer, who was left in charge, of the danger of the rock on which} the steamer struck. Shortly afterwards he felt that the vessel had struck, and he at once hurried on deck and gave orders to sound the pumps. He found that the vessel was making water fast, and the pumps were therefore kept going, and had to be kept hard at it until she was taken on the slip. Immediately on her arrival she discharged her cargo, which consisted of wool, all the lower bales being considerably damaged. The men in the hold were working up to their knees in water, so it can be easily imagined that the wool was perfectly saturated. After discharging, she was taken round to the Patent Slip, when on examination it was found that she must have hit the rock pretty hard. —N.Z. Times, of Jan. 7th.