The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-10-03


tug on one occasion when stopped
was drifting rapidly before the
breeze to a point astern of the
stranded ship, he shouted for the
lead line and insisted on soundings
being taken every few moments.
"Three fathoms, sir" and the order
was given to go ahead. Then "four
fathoms" was called, by which time
the hawser was ready for another
strain.
On comparison of notes between
Capt. Fuller and Capt. King, as to
the bearing of the can buoy when
each came out, it was declared that
the Miowera must have moved sew
eral fathoms. Indeed, it was the
impression of the experienced obser-
vers that, when the tide was at its
height about II o'clock, distinct
movement of the ship was effected.
The main object of the tugs exer-
tions was to prevent the ship from
being driven farther on the reef by
the strong wind and swell.
BOARDING THE STEAMSHIP.
Ministers King and Smith decided
soon after midnight to go on board
the Miowera, They kindly took the
pressmen in their boat. Compare
lively smooth water was found on
the leeward side of the steamship,
where the gangway was lowered and
accessible without difficulty. Be-
sides Pilot j. G. Lorenzen, Officers
G. B. Reynolds and j. D. McVeigh
were found on deck. They were
more concerned for the safety of the
ship than the health of the passen-
gers, of whom there were about
twenty and all well. AS the purser
had just retired, the list and report
of voyage could not be obtained.
In conversation with two of the
few passengers who were out of
their berths, it was learned that the
Miowera came direct from Sydney,
not calling at Brisbane. She was
detained, however, to await passen-
gers and mails by rail from Bris-
bane. The passengers spoken to
wore detected air over the mishap
to their gallant ship, involving a
possibility of prolonged detention
in their journey to themselves
Every now and then a dull grind
ing sensation ran through the
stranded ship, giving one a startling
idea of what the results would be il
a storm were beating on the reef.
PLANS OF ESCAPE.
The officers were attending to the
tugs hawser and their own engines
Communication with the tugboat
was difficult owing to the wind, or
ders having to be given in deep vol
ume and loud pitch. Ministers Kins
and Smith conferred with Captain
Stott of the Miowera on the bridge
Mr.. King said there was deep wate
right ahead, there being q feet il
the vicinity of the buoy a few yard
off the starboard bow. 1t was hi
opinion that the most practicable
method of getting the ship off wa
to Tighten her and pull her over tn,
reef, instead of trying to back he
off the way she came on. There
were dangerous shoals close b,
astern, and, as it was likely the shiI
had swung with the wind afte
touching, it was quite problemati'
in just what direction the ship hat
come into her perilous position.
1t was decided to adopt Ministe
Kings counsel. Preparations wer
at once made to discharge 400 ton
of coal easily accessible out of tn
1900 tons in the bunkers. Anchor
were to be got out forward as a pur
chase for the steam windlasses
Word was sent ashore by the Minis
ters' boat, which had been gener
ously loaned to the press represent
atives for landing, to hurry up tn
lighters for receiving the coal.
There was comparatively smootl
water for the row to the shore, th'
boat shipping no water although
heavily laden. Besides three pres
representatives, the two health off
GERS and Mr.. T. r. Robinson, of Thee
H. Davies & Co.'s store, who hat
also been on board the Miowera
were the passengers. AS the boa
passed the steam lighter of H. Hack
field & Co., there was as yet no ligh
nor sign of life on board that craft
anu IueTe was no response W I'll
boats hail. 1t is learned that tn
lighter was manned and steam 60
up in quick time after word reach
ed Commodore Simonson that tn
! services of the craft were in requis
tion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MIowERA.
The following particulars are fro1
a full description of the Mower
printed in this paper on the occ;
, sion of her initial trip, which il
} augurated the Canadian Australia
Steamship Line in May last:
The Miowera is built on what
I known as the three deck grade, an
has long poop deck which extenG
| over her engines and boilers, with
| long top-gallant forecastle, and
, complete system of water ballast 0
} the cellular double-bottom principl
| Her decks are of specially-selecte
, teak wood of more than ordinal
, thickness, and the strength of tt
r vessel generally is far in excess ,
! Lloyd's and the Board of TraC
: rules-the exceptional weight of I'll
framing admitting of hold bean
being dispensed with. Her fine line