Truck on deck lost overboard from Holmdale

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 2

Truck on deck lost overboard from Holmdale

The berthing of the trading vessel Holmdale at Waitangi in the Chatham Islands yesterday meant fresh food supplies for the islanders but the vessel’s arrival did not bring good news for everyone. One of two trucks carried as deck cargo was swept overboard when the Holmdale struck rough seas during her week-end crossing from Lyttelton. The port manager of Union Maritime Services, Ltd, Mr Ross Greenstreet, confirmed yesterday that a truck had been lost during the voyage and that several cars had suffered "superficial damage.”

The Holmdale sailed from Lyttelton on Saturday with a full load after a delay of more than two weeks

caused mainly by additional work needed after her survey last month. The vessel was carrying on deck two trucks, four cars, a fishing boat, and livestock. It is believed that several hens were also lost overboard. Mr Greenstreet said that a horse and two dogs which had been kept on deck were unharmed. The Chathams County Clerk, Mr Frank O’Connell, said that unloading had begun last evening. He did not believe there had been much damage to cargo stored below deck. Mr O’Connell said that petrol and fresh supplies of food, which had both been rationed during the last week, would be on sale early this morning.