STRANDED SCHOONER

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 296, 10 September 1926, Page 5

STRANDED SCHOONER

4 EARLY REFLOATING ANTICIPATED. By 'Lslegbafh.—Press Association. Auckland, September 9. Information lias been received in Auckland that the schooner Teine Vineula, formerly War Lord, which went ashore at Nukunono Island, in the Union Group, about two months ago, is expected to be towed off at an early date. In a letter to his brother, Mr. H. J. C. George, Captain G. H. George, master of the schooner, states that as soon as the vessel stranded on the reef the tug Ontario was dispatched from Pago Pago to tow her off. Unfortunately the salvage vessel, which had little or no suitable gear for her work, was too big for the job, having an unusually deep draught. Captain George states that during the spring tides on July 27 he all but succeeded in refloating the vessel. On one occasion he was hauling off to an anchor laid in deep water, when the cable parted. No time was lost in picking up the end of the line, and on the evening of the same day another attempt was made On this occasion the schooner was actually haule'd off the reef and into the swell, but again the cable parted, and the ship returned to the reef. In his letter Captain George says the tug Greyhound was expected to arrive at Nukunono about August 2G from Apia. He adds that the Teine Vineula is but a little damaged. It is likely that news of the. schooner’s refloating will be received in Auckland at any time now.