DANGER TO NAVIGATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 304, 22 December 1903, Page 3

DANGER TO NAVIGATION.

THE MARERE'S EXPERIENCE. In a letter to the Auckland Harbour Board to-day Messrs. Heather, Roberton and Co. stated: "We beg to report that when the s.s. Marere was coming up the Rangitoto Channel on the 10th inst. she struck some object below her water line. Being well out in the channel the Government surveyor was satisfied that she had not grounded, and instructed us to employ the services of a diver. This was done, and we enclose herewith copy of diver's report. We would take 'this ' opportunity of pointing out the great risk our steamers take in entering and leaving this port, owing to floating logs, which apparently get adrift from the various rafts. In this case it would appear that this log has sunk, and in some way is moored to the bottom of the c' nneL We trust that your Board will take steps to verify this assumption, and. if it is correct, have the obstruction removed." The diver's report stated that he found a graze about four feet from the keel and 30 feet from the stern, on the port side, such as could have been caused by a sunken log. There was also a long scratch as of a large nail or bolt. The damage was only paint deep, and the rivets of the plates were intact. The matter was referred to the Works Committee and the Harbourmaster to report on.