VESSEL ON ROCKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 67, 19 March 1932, Page 10

VESSEL ON ROCKS.

MISHAP AT WHAKATANE. CARGO BEING DISCHARGED. TOA BACK IN- CHANNEL. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHAKATANE, this day. The Northern Steamship Company's motor vessel Toa, in attempting to enter the Whakatane River yesterday afternoon, struck on the rocks. The vessel was fortunately able to manoeuvre over the bar, and now lies on the rocks in calm water. The Toa has been worked into the channel, and is expected to go up to the Whakatane wharf at high tide this afternoon. After a preliminary examination she is expected to leave for Auckland to-morrow. The hull is slightly damaged with rubbing against the rocks, but is not making water. A big sea is running on the bar to-day, but the boat is safe, and is unloading into launches and lighters. Owing to the long-continued spell of dry weather in the district there has not been sufficient water in the Whakatane River to scour out the channels, and the bar has been a hindrance to shipping for a considerable period. The Toa arrived outside on Wednesday, and was unable to enter the channel, owing to the shallowness of the water at the entrance. Yesterday she attempted to enter and again had to put out to sea. The Toa is a wooden vessel built at Auckland by Mr. George Niccol in 1928. She is fitted with two Bollander engines each of 90 li.p., driving twin screws. The crew numbers ten, and Captain L. McDonald is the master.