STRANDING AND LAUNCH OF THE STEAMERS MURRAY & WALLABI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3249, 12 July 1871, Page 2

STRANDING AND LAUNCH OF THE STEAMERS MURRAY & WALLABI.

[Westpobt & Chabeeston AuGtrs, July 4.] In our last issue we had to report the stranding of the steamer Wallabi while entering the river on Thursday night. On Sunday morning the steamer Murray cast off from the wharf for the purpose of rendering assistance in getting off the Wallabi, and it unfortunately resulted in her grounding and being driven ashore on the north Bpit. At the fall of the tide the vessel was lightened by discharging a portion of her coal, and a line having been run out to the south spit, every effort was made to get the vessel off the following tide, with, we are happy to add, a completely successful result. Shortly before ten o'clock p.m. Captain Palmer succeeded in getting her afloat, and amid the cheers of those on board, and of tho large numbers assembled on the beach who witnessed their gallant efforts, the Murray steamed up the river, and m&oreA alongside the Kennedy street wharf. On inspecting her we were pleased to find that HO injury had been sustained, nor misadventure by those who were engaged in the perilous and arduous task of heaving her through the breakers. A similar activity prevailed on board the steamer Wallabi, whore a large number of men were employed, the Harbor Master rendering Captain Daniels every assistance in his

power. In her case a line had also been run out to the south spit, which was attached to the head of the steamer, and a second line was run out from her stern to an anchor moored in tho bed of the river. Ab the tide ebbed the Btern of the steamer was hauled into a sufficient depth of water to float that portion of the vessel, but ahe was not expected to bo got off until yesterday morning's tide. Shortly before eleven o'clock a succession of large seas lifted tho bow and waist of the vessel, and she glided into deep water. Steam was then got up, and Bhe was taken alongside Bright street wharf. This result was not generally known, the majority of the spectators having returned to town shortly after the Murray passed up the river; but the news spread quickly that the efforts in the case of the steamer Wallabi had been similarly successful, and gave rise to a feeling of general satisfaction. Much kindly sympathy was expressed with the master of each vessel by tho inhabitants, and more especially with Captain Palmer, as a desire to assist a fellow-6eaman was the sole cause of his unexpected mishap The inhabitants of Westport, in admiration of Captain Palmer's conduct, have published the following address :— " To Captain Palmer, s.s. Murray. — Dear Sir, — We cannot allow the circumstances of to-day to pass unnoticed. While we congratulate you upon bringing the steamer under your command safely from her dangerous position, we cannot refrain from acknowledging the true sailorly and manly spirit which induced you to offor assistance to a brother sailor, whose vessel was in distress, and apparently in imminent danger. Your readily offered services, suggested by the natural impulse of a kindly feeling, would no doubt have proved successful, without extraordinary risk to your own vessel, but for the altered and unmarked changes in our river entrance. That you were not able to help tho Wallabi is not attributable to any want of energy on your part ; and we, as residents and travellers on the West Coast of Now Zealand, take this opportunity of expressing an appreciation of your conduct and seamanship on the occasion."