DAMAGED VESSEL REACHES WELLINGTON

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29764, 6 March 1962, Page 14

DAMAGED VESSEL REACHES WELLINGTON

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 5. The 1958-ton coaster Karu (above) limped into Wellington harbour at two-thirds cruising speed today extensively damaged on her starboard side. The motor vessel, under the command of Captain D. C. B. Lochhead, struck an unidentified submerged object off Honeycombe rock, 65 miles north along the Wairarapa coast about 1.30 a.m.

A hole was ripped in the ship’s side and water poured into number two hold at a rate of 400 to 500 gallons an hour. After the “bump” and the “harah grinding noise,” as crew members described it, the ship pulled up and preparations were made to abandon her. Lifeboat covers were taken off and rope ladders put over the side. However, it was found that there was no danger of the ship jinking.

The number two hold was full of South Island produce. The amount of damage to the cargo was not known tonight.

The Karu left Dunedin at. 4.30 p.m. on Friday tor Auckland. The Karu was in trouble in the same area in August. 1960. when her engines broke down. After being taken in tow by the collier Kokiri, she berthed at Wellington for repairs. The Karu entered the heads at noon under her own steam

and was met by the pilot launch, Tiakina, with the harbourmaster (Captain D. M. Todd) and the marine superintendent of the Union Company (Captain A. C. Crosbie) on board. Wellington waterside workers began to unload cargo from the water logged hold about two hours after the Karu berthed and work was still continuing tonight. By 9 p.m. most of the cartons and sacks had been packed in an empty warehouse.