TUGS TO RETURN HOME

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 259, 31 July 1939, Page 10

TUGS TO RETURN HOME

Port Bowen Salvage Plans SHIP UNDAMAGED BY HEAVY SEAS Preparations For Work Of Unloading Dominion Special Service. WANGANUI, July 30. Though heavy seas have been pounding the stranded liner Port Bowen on Castlecliff beach, where she has been aground since July 19, the vessel remains undamaged close inshore, but till the seas arc calm and soundings can be taken towing operations are at a standstill. It was decided this afternoon that the tugs Lyttelton 11, Terawhiti, and .Toia should return to their home ports. They will be recalled when necessary, the Wanganui tug Kahanui standing by in the meantime. Apparently it is not intended to attempt to refloat the vessel during the present spring tides because of the impossibility of completing unloading in time. It is now possible at low water to wade out to the lifeboat by the I’ort Bowen’s side without the water rising above the knees, the sand having built up between the ship and the shore. A conference has been held between Captain S. E. Gregory, marine superintendent of the Port Line in New Zealand, Captain D. W. Gibson, of the Port Line offices, Sydney, Mr. A. Bryan, of the Sydney Marine and Underwriters' an'd Salvage Association, and Mr. D. Binuie, general manager of the Port Line in New Zealand. A large steam hauler weighing 20 tons has arrived from a King Country sawmill and will lx? taken from a railway truck at Castlecliff to the beach opposite where the Port Boweu is stranded. It will be used there for hauling purposes. Two more portable boilers have been brought from Wellington to be transferred to the Port Bowen. These will be set up as a precautionary measure in ease tlie power of the steamer should fail. With these boilers it will be possible to keep the refrigerators going and preserve the valuable cargo of meat and butter, tbe latter alone being valued at about £70,000. Tbe rough weather has caused inconvenience to shipping in Wanganui. The grounding of the Port Boweu caused the four tugs, the Terawhiti, Toia, Lyttelton II and Kahanui, as well as four lighters, to remain tied up to the Castlecliff wharf and conditions are such that both coastal and overseas traffic are unable to work the bar. Tlie Kalingo and the Antigone are still at the Castlecliff Wharf, having been ready to leave for four days, while at the town wharf, tbe Breeze, Nikau. Holmdale and Gale are also awaiting more favourable conditions. The Auretta is waiting outside, having arrived in the roadstead a week ago, and tlie Gabriella, which arrived yesterday, is also awaiting au improvement in the weather.