Towline Cleared From Tug’s Propeller

Press, Volume C, Issue 29651, 23 October 1961, Page 10

Towline Cleared From Tug ’s Propeller

<N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 22. The Panamanian tug. Atlas, whose towline to the frigates Taupo and Tutira became entangled in her propeller oft Cape Reinga on Friday, was freed at 11 a.m. today. The towline to one of the frigates is still caught in rocks on the seabed, and efforts are being made tonight to free it. The frigates are being towed by the Atlas to Hong Kong, where they will be broken up for scrap. The Atlas left Auckland on Wednesday with the frigates in tow, and got into difficulties off Cape Reinga on Friday. The tug, Otapere, began towing the tug Atlas and a frigate to the safety of Tom Bowling Bay at 1 p.m. today

(shown in photograph). Progress was slow, because of tidal rips. The release of the Atlas was largely a result of the work of Mr H. L. Julian, managing director of Auckland Water Transport, Ltd., using an aqualung, and working at times in darkness. He started diving in 15ft of water soon after he arrived in his tug. Barbara W., late on Saturday afternoon. He found that the heavytowing wire had wrapped itself four times around the propeller of the Atlas. By 2 a.m. today, three turns of the wire had been released. The fourth turn of the wire was cleared about 11 a.m., after engineers inside the ship had disconnected the tailshaft, and pushed it out

into the sea. This had the effect of loosening the towing wire, so that it could be lifted clear. "I take my hat off to Mr Julian,” said Captain F. Baay. of Auckland Shipping Services, Ltd., agents for the Atlas this evening. He described it as “a phenomenal feat.” carried out under very primitive conditions. “Admittedly the sea has been quite calm, and the weather kind, but it is no picnic playing around with a six-inch tow wire on solid ground, let alone under water.” he said. It was obvious there was an unchartered obstruction about 50ft below the surface, said Captain Baay. Charte showed depths varying between 30 to 50 fathoms.