RACE WITH TIME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 184, 6 August 1934, Page 8

RACE WITH TIME.

EFFORT TO LIGHTEN. OIL HULK AS TENDER. MIDNIGHT TRIP TO SEA.

A race against time, in which a ehip which was relegated to a huK: six or seven years ago was the central figure, was a feature of the attempt made last night to refloat the stranded freighter. Every effort was made to get the Union Company's oil hulk Flora to the scene of the wreck in time to relieve some of the Hauraki's load before the early morning tide turned, but luck was against the tugmasters, and it was almost at the top of the flood when the pumping was commenced. After more than an hour's unsuccessful effort the attempt was temporarily abandoned, and the tugs cast off.

It was an unwilling Flora tliat was towed .to the scene of the mishap. The oil hulk, which herself caused a etir on the Auckland waterfront some eight years ago when she broke down anil drifted helplessly until picked up in the vicinity of Cuvier Island, had been berthed at the Prince's wharf in readiness to go alongside the Hauraki as soon ns she arrived, and she wae cast off nt 10.30 to start her passage out of harbour, under the charge of the Harbour Board's tujr Te Awhina, which was made fast on the port side. The Auckland Launch and Towboat Company's steam tug Kumea followed shortly afterwards and picked un with the other tug and her charge abreast of the naval base. Within a few minutes the Kumea had been made fast on the starboard side of the oil hulk, and the two tugs settled down to the task of making the best speed possible against a strong flood tide.

Constant Watch on Clock. All concerned knew that if the Flora was to be made uee of before the attempt to tow the Hanraki clear was commenced she would have to be got alongside before the tide turned, and tho skippers kept a constant eye on the clock. It was definitely a race against time and tide. Fortunately, the fog, which had been responsible for the mishap, had cleared away, and at midnight the lights on the northern shore could be soen twinkling brightly.

Good progress wae made for some distance down Bangitoto Channel, but when abreast of the beacon a ground swell caused the hulk to lurch and roll. As the swell increased the hulk's movements became more violent and it was necessary for the method of towing to be rearranged. Accordingly, both tugs cast off, the more powerful Te Awhina taking charge with a single line from the bow and the Kumea steaming abreast at reduced speed in case she was needed. Although the change occupied but a few minutes, the rate of towing naturally decreased, and the lights of the stranded steamer seemed a Ion? time in cominar nearer. As if unwilling to play a part in the refloating, the hulk at times yawed stubbornly.

As the distance between the Hauraki and the tuars decreased, messases were exchanged by meane of Morse lamp, and a plan decided upon for getting the Flora alongside the helpless freighter with a minimum of delay. It was at this stage that a school, of porpoises which had escorted the tugs down channel blew a disinterested farewell and made off in the direction of the open sea.