Strike’s First Casualty

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 1

Strike’s First Casualty

(N Z. Press Association!

AUCKLAND, Nov. 23.

With a crash the Norwegian freighter Tarifa struck the end of King's wharf, Auckland, about 3 p.m. today to become the first casualty of the tug strike in the port of Auckland.

The impact as the 6386ton ship attempted to berth under her own power left a gaping hole in the bow about six feet deep, 30 inches high and about six feet above the waterline.

The accident happened as the Tarifa tried to come alongside the outer berth on the eastern side of the wharf.

Onlookers said it appeared that the tide caught the vessel and swung the bow.

Although both anchors were dropped in an attempt to halt the ship, it struck the end of the wharf.

Wood splintered and the bow carved a deep gouge for several feet across the surface of the wharf.

The top of the bow was only feet from the wharf shed.

“I thought it w as going to go right on through the shed,” said one watersider.

The Tarifa was taken

astern and correctly berthed soon afterwards.

The master of the Tarifa, Captain D. HoltamNilsen, said the damage was not serious and should not delay the sailing of the vessel.

An official for the shipping agents, Spedding, Ltd., said later that insurance assessors had inspected the damage. Repairs could be carried out at her berth before she was due to sail in about eight days.

The Tarifa, carrying general cargo and 12 passengers, arrived from Scandinavia, Northern European ports and Genoa.