MISHAP TO S.S. KAIPARA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2711, 15 January 1910, Page 5

MISHAP TO S.S. KAIPARA.

AGROUND IN RANGITOTO CHANNEL.

fPICIt PItKSH ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, Jan. 14. Shipping circles were thrown into something like consternation this afternoon -when a rumor that the New Zealand Shipping Co.’s fine steamer Kaipara, which had left at about halfpast two for London, laden with a large cargo, had met with a mishap in the Rangitoto channel, and was in a serious condition. Gradualy the rumor was confirmed, and the fact became known that the vessel had struck something in the channel, that her position was iserious, and that there was a good deal of water in two of her forward holds. The news was first conveyed to town by the signalman at the North Head, who noticed that the boat was in difficulties, and he sent a telplione message through to the harbor authorities and the New Zealand Shipping Company. The vessel now lies in the channel, her keel resting on the bottom, and there are some feet of water on No. 1 and 2 holds.

STATEMENT BY A PASSENGER. Lieut. Elwes, of the British army, who is travelling for his health, was one of the seven or eight passengers who embarked on the steamer for London. Seen soon after the accident he gave the following account: “We left the Railway Wharf at about two o’clock, and carried the pilot to a little round the Heads. Soon after we had dropped the pilot, and were going at full speed, when just between the two light buoys there was a slight grating, and the steamer, which had a considerable list when we left the jetty, listed over a good deal more. In fact, I thought she was going over altogether. Then the ship suddenly righted. Then the engines were stopped and the wells sounded. It was found that in Nos. 1 and 2 .holds the water was making rapidly. Lifebelts were served out, and the boats were lowered in remarkably quick time. Perfect order and discipline prevailed, and the captain was as cool as though he was just going alongside the wharf. The water round us was fortunately very shallow, a little over five fathoms, and the vessel gradually settled down, with her keel on the bottom, and there she lies, hard and fast. She is considerably more down by the bow than the stern. While she lay in this plight a little coastal boat (the Chelmsford) came alongside and several of the passengers went off in her, back to Auckland.” The Auckland Harbor Board’s tug Aiwliina was despatched to the scene of the accident at once, and several launches also went down from Auckland. Arrangements hav e been made to send the fire float down tills evening to see if the Ivaipara can be pumped out. though there does not seem much chance that that will be possible at this juncture, and the company has made arrangements with the Northern Company and the Union Company’s Talun e to lighter the cargo from'the stranded ship. THE VESSEL’S BOTTOM RIPPED OPEN. The steamer, when she struck, made 22ft of water in three minutes, and settled down by her head, having her how about 12 feet out of the water, the stern water-line showing about two feet above. She appears to have been ripped along the bottom from under the foremast to near funnel. The passengers were taken off and brought to Auckland. It was decided to salvage the cargo, and the Northern Com. pany’s Taniwha was sent down with a number of workmen, aud the salvage is now proceeding. After the cargo is taken out it is intended, as far as can be gathered, to pump the water out, carry out repairs, and place the steamer in the Calliope dock. It was low tide when the Kaipara struck, and the water has now crept up the forward part of the vessel to such an extent that it reaches within a foot or two of the deck.