TUG TOWS SHIP FROM SURF

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25734, 21 February 1949, Page 6

TUG TOWS SHIP FROM SURF

Holmlea Springs Leak Off Granity ENGINES DISABLED BY WATER From Our Own Reporter WESTPORT, February 20. With her engines put out of action by water rising in the stokehold, the coastal steamer Holmlea was in danger of drifting on to the beach near Granity this morning until she was taken in tow by the Marine Department’s tug Janies O’Brien. The Holmlea was towed to the Westport harbour entrance, where she anchored. The Holmlea sprang a leak on the voyage from Greymouth to Wanganui and was very close to the breakers when she was taken in tow.

A radio message was received at Westport about 2 a.m. from Wellington for the immediate dispatch of the James O’Brien. The Holmlea was said to be leaking badly. It was expected that the Holmlea would be located off the bar, but the James O’Brien had to go about 15 miles* before it reached the disabled collier. First Line Breaks

With the breakers very close, it was difficult to get a line aboard the Holmlea. The first line broke after being linked up. The second line held, and the collier was towed to the Westport bar, where there was a heavy swell. At it was uncertain as to how much water the collier had taken, it was considered risky to make the tow into port. When another line broke it was decided to allow the Holmlea to rest at anchor in what is considered to be a safe position just off the bar. If the weather is favourable it is intended to make an attempt to bring her into port at high tide to-morrow morning, about 3 o’clock. Water in Stokehold

At 2 o'clock this morning the Holmlea sent out distress signals, saying that she had sprung a leak in rough seas from the south-west. She was making water fast and it was not long before all the lights were out, the stokehold fires extinguished, and the radio transmission set put out of action.

The Holmlea became unmanageable in the adverse wind and high seas. It was impossible to communicate at that stage by radio, and because of the rough sea it was difficult to maintain more than urgent communications by flag signalling. However, radio-telephone connexion between the tug and the mainland kept the harbour authorities and owners in close touch with the position. At one time it was thought that an attempt would be made to run the Holmlea before the wind to Nelson, but rough weather off Farewell Spit and in Cook Strait prevented that. The Holmlea, of 251 tons, has been trading between West Coast and North Island ports. She is owned by the Holm Shipping Company. Her master is Captain McCormick. The vessel left Greymouth with 600 tons of coal for Wanganui. Her compliment of 18 are still on board.

Details of the position of the leak and the amount of damage are not available. It is believed that the water is being pumped, by hand.