LOSS OF THE HIMITANGI

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15567, 31 July 1918, Page 5

LOSS OF THE HIMITANGI

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 31. No further news of the wreck of the Himitangi has been received owing to the distance of the wreck from Waitangi, and the absence of roads making communications difficult, while rough seas prevent fishing craft going to the spot. Particulars arc expected by wireless to-day, and a decision will then be made regarding the despatch of a relief ship. Although the Himitangi was insured, the owners will be very heavy losers. They have two fish freezing plants operating at the Chathams, and will have to procure another vessel. A magisterial inquiry will be held as soon as possible. The Himitangi was built at Paisley, Scotland, in 1899 for Levin and Co., Ltd., Wellington. She was a . steel single-screw vessel of 323 tons gross, and 149 tpns net, of the ; following dimensions Length, 136 ft; beam, 24ft lin; depth, 9ft. Her engines were manufactured by Muir and Houston, Ltd., Glasgow. She was fitted with electric light, and was considered one of the most up-to-date vessels on the coast. The:.'; was accommodation for about 26 passengers. ' After being purchased from Levin and Co. in May, 1911, by the Chatham Islands Fishing Company, she was fitted with a refrigerated hold. The Himitangi had a car-go-carrying capacity of about 2SO tens. On her arrival in New Zealand, Levin and Co. ran the Himitangi between Wanganui and Foxton with cattle to Westport and Greymonth, from which ports she returned with coal. The vessel occasionally assisted the Queen of the Sonth in the Wellington-Foxton cargo'service, and at times worked the coastal stations. She was for some years under command of Captain Manley. Captain Harvey, now'master of the Queen of the South, also hjid charge of the Himitangi for a couple of years.

Captain Cowan took command of the Him it an <ri when she was purchased hy the Chatham Islands Fishing Company. The vessel had already experienced some adventures in the Chatham Islands service.