SHIP REFLOATED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 266, 7 August 1934, Page 10

SHIP REFLOATED

Stranded Hauraki Towed Clear of Beach BELIEVED UNDAMAGED Vessel Lightened of Fuel on WAIPIATA ACTS AS TUG By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, August 6. With threo triumphant blasts on the siren, signifying she was going astern, the Union Company’s motorvessel Hauraki, with the same companys’ steamer Waipiata acting as a tug, was refloated shortly after three o’clock this afternoon, just on 24 hours after she had gone ashore in Sunday’s fog. An earlier attempt to refloat her on the early morning tide had failed. The Hauraki made no water during the period she was ashore, and was apparently undamaged. She came on to Auckland, berthing shortly before live o’clock. The first attempt to tow the Hauraki off the beach was made at 2.30 this ■> morning. Lines were passed out from the stern and, although the efforts of the tugs swung the Hauraki appreciably, she still remained hard and ‘ fast. The tide turned and a further attempt had to be postponed until the afternoon. More oil was then pumped from the Hauraki’s tanks into the attendant hulk, which had been made i fast on the port side, and in order to lighten the stranded vessel still further the Kumea was dispatched for Auckland to bring back a second oil hulk, which was made fast shortly after nine o’clock. By this time the Flora was weighed down by the oil which had been pumped into her from the Hauraki and was also ashore. She was lightened to some extent and more oil was pumped into the other lighter. Working Through the Night. The men who had come down from Auckland on Sunday evening had been working right through the night. A further effort was made to lighten the Hauraki amidships and forward by unloading a large quantity of her forward deck cargo —cases of oranges from the Cook Islands. This work pro- ?' ceeded all the morning. At noon those on board the stranded vessel were confident she would be refloated on the afternoon tide. At two o’clock the Union Company’s cargo steamer Waipiata arrived and anchored a few chains off the Hauraki. She had arrived at Auckland from southern ports early this morning, and after unloading had been sent to the scene of the stranding. After anchoring, the Waipiata backed in toward the larger vessel, then a light line was taken to her by a waiting launch. Heavier lines were passed until finally the two ships were joined by the Hauraki’s heavy towing wire. This had to be made fast astern of the Waipiata with bridle wires to distribute the strain. Meanwhile the Te Awhina had arrived from Auckland, but she took no part in the salvage operations, although the Kumea was made fast ahead of the Waipiata. Tlie Tow Commences. At 2.30 p.m. the pilot boat Waitemata arrived with officials of the Auckland Harbour Board. The Waipiata’s anchor was hoisted and everything was ready for the tow. A small crowd lined the cliffs near Tararata Point, watching the scene below. Black smoke came from the Hauraki’s funnel in the small explosions characteristic of motorships. Launches fussed round and the sturdy Te Awhina stood by with an air of almost complacent interest in the spectacle of the larger ship doing her accustomed work. Three blasts were sounded on the Hauraki’s siren, “I am going astern,” to be answered by a single blast from the Waipiata. When steam ahead was ordered, immediately the water astern of both ships foamed with the flashing of propeller blades. The Waipiata, with the Kumea ahead, straightening her by the bow, moved forward slightly, and the heavy steel wire rose from the sea draped fantastically with several large pieces of seaweed. For a while the Waipiata took the strain In a series of short tugs, and with onp of these about 10 minutes after the start of operations there came a crack like a revolver- shot; one of the bridle wires had snapped as if it were string, but the Hauraki had moved and success was in sight. She Moves. The Waipiata maintained a long steady pull, and the stranded vessel’s propellers churned madly hard astern. Suddenly the Hauraki was seen to move slowly astern. Three blasts on her siren this time meant that she really was going astern. A note of triumph replaced the earlier note of optimism, and it seemed almost as if the Hauraki were • giving herself three cheers. About 30 minutes’ towing, had sufficed to move her into clear water. Arrangements were then made for the return of all ships to port. The motor-vessel, apparently little the worse for her mishap, was headed at full speed for Auckland. The Waipiata followed her after attending to the towing wires, and both vessels were berthed by 5 o’clock Later a start was made with the discharge of the Hauraki’s deck cargo. FOG SIGNALS NEEDED Marama Captain’s Views By Telegraph.— Press Association. Auckland, August 6. Questioned regarding the need for radio beacons shown by the stranding of the Hauraki, Captain Morgan, of the Marama, spoke strongly in favour of radio beacons being Installed at the “eyes of the gulf.” He also spoke of the benefit of fog signals and buoys. In view of the occurrence at this time of the year of fog at the approaches to the harbour, he considered fog signals were necessary. It was, he remarked, a good harbour, but a “jolly bad one to enter in fog.” PRELIMINARY INQUIRY By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, August 6. The Superintendent of Marine at ’Auckland will make a preliminary Inquiry to-morrow into the stranding of the Hauraki, and documents containing . results of the Investigations will be forwarded to the Marine Department, which will decide whether a magisterial inquiry, should btj held.