TRAWLER ON REEF

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28371, 2 September 1957, Page 10

TRAWLER ON REEF

Boat A Total Loss

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 1. The 48ft Tauranga trawler Golden Gate, valued at £14,000, went ashore on a reef at Sulphur Bay, Whale Island, jn the Bay of Plenty about 1.30 this morning. The two men on board, Messrs I.- Juson and G. Baxter, of Taqranga, swam to the island where they were later picked up by another trawler, the Sea Ranger. .. The Golden Gate had run for shelter to Sulphur Bay yesterday from the easterly storm that swept the Bay of Plenty. When the anchor dragged, the engines were started but the had been fouled by the rocks. SThe Sea Ranger is standing by at Sulphur” Bay, with three other

trawlers. A radio report, from Mr G. Mark, on the Sea Ranger at 7 o’clock tonight, stated that the heavy sea still running was sweeping over the bow of the Golden Gate which was lying on its starboard sjde. More than 20 feet of the port side had been swept away, the rudder had gone and the keel was broken. The trawler appeared to be almost a total loss.

Mr W. J. Costello, manager of the wrecked trawler’s owners, Golden Fisheries, Ltd., of Tauranga,’ said the vessel was insured for about half its replacement value.

Today, radio and echo sounding equipment was salvaged from the undamaged wheelhouse of the Golden Gate, and it is expected that the trawler Vanguard will leave Tauranga tomorrow for the scene of the wreck with salvage gear.