TUG'S CREW PRAISED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 8

TUG'S CREW PRAISED.

RESCUE OF THE GALE.

"A ROUGH TIME," SAYS CAPTAIN

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WANGANUI, this day.

Captain Melntyrc and the "scratch" crew of the tug Kahanui, which towed the disabled steamer Gale to Wellington, were entertained this morning by Mr. A. G. Bignell, chairman of the Wanganui Harbour Board.

Mr. Bignell expressed admiration of the manner in which the crew had responded at short notice and got the Gale out of a very dangerous position. Captain Mclntyre, in his reply, threw further light on the operations of the Kahanui on Friday night/and Saturday morning. He stated that the Gale was in the breakers and the only way to get a line aboard was to float one. A heavy sea was running and the men working aft had a rough time, being up to their waists in water. They did not studv themselves, but did their best to get the line aboard. There was a lot of danger at times of the rope fouling the propellor. He had to get the tug close to the Gale and fceep in position, and he never wished for a better crew. The engineer and his staff worked finelv under difficulties.

I never iu all my long career found it necessary to give so many orders," said Captain Mclntyre. "I have been in a few tight corners, and I must say I never heard orders repeated from the engine room so quickly. As a rule rapid orders are generally giveu without repeating m cases of this kind/'