SCOW DRIFTING IN GALE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 6

SCOW DRIFTING IN GALE

Propellers Damaged On Wairau Bar

TUG GOING TO RESCUE (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 23. Two vessels were drjfting before high winds and terrific seas in Cook. Strait to-night. The auxiliary scow Echo damaged her propellers in crossing the Wairau bar about midday today. She was blown before the northwest gsle. The Echo was last seen from Cape Palliser lighthouse shortly before 8 p.m. She was drifting fast and was soon out of sight from the lighthouse. Before she disappeared from view, the lights of the Wellington tug, Toia, which went to her assistance, were seen appearing round Pencarrow Head, many miles distant. The Echo was then about 20 miles south-east of. Cape Palliser, which is on the . eastern extremity of Palliser Bay. It is considered in Wellington that the small area of sail carried by the Echo should be sufficient to keep her out of immediate danger. It is also believed that with what remained of her propellers and sails, the Echo was capable of a speed of three knots. The Echo is driven by twin Diesels and is fitted with twin screws. She carries fore and aft sails on two masts but invariably uses both motors and sails.

Her master is Captain Thomas Eckford, a nephew of her owner. Captain T. Eckford, of Blenheim. She carries a crew of nine.

A radio message from the scow received in Wellington this afternoon reported that she was unable to make headway ag?.inst the high wind and big seas. The Wellington agents then decided to send the tug Toia to her assistance, and the Toia left Wellington about 5 o’clock. Valuable Punt Adrift The other vessel is a punt valued at £lO,OOO, owned by the Wellington Harbour Board, which broke adrift while being towed by the small coaster Kaitoa from Nelson to Wellington. Conditions in Cook Strait made it impossible for the Kaitoa to pick up the punt, which was drifting away from land after the tow rope broke off Stephen’s Island. The Kaitoa reported to-night that she had abandoned attempts to resume the tow until to-morrow morning, and would stay near the punt during the night. ■