HEAD TO SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 189, 12 August 1939, Page 10

HEAD TO SEA.

PORT BOWEN MOVES

POUNDED BY WAVES.

POSITION MORE FAVOURABLE. UNLOADING SUSPENDED. (By Telegrapn.—Own Correspondent.) WANG AX I T, this day. After having drifted off the sand'bank on which she stranded at midnight on July 19, the Port Bowen settled on the beach broadside 011 and remained in that position until last night, when during a heavy sea and strong westerly wind three heavy steel cables run from the steamer to the shore for the purpose of loading gear and unloading cargo snapped. The bow of the vessel moved outward into deeper water a distance of about 10 feet.

The mooring lines attached to the mushroom anchors laid seaward from the starboard side were still intact to-day. At high tide the steamer was being well pounded by the force of the waves, spray covering the decks forward. From the shore the Port Bowen appeared to 'be firm in the sand amidships, but there was a movement with the swell both at the bow and stern.

Some of those engaged in salvage operations expressed the opinion to-day that with the bow heading out towards the sea the Tort Bo wen is now in a more favourable position for hauling off the shore when the tides are favourable and sufficient cargo ha»* been unloaded. In the meantime unloading has been suspended. Up to last night 7000 carcases of meat out of 75,000 had been unloaded.