KAHIKA ASHORE

Evening Star, Issue 20315, 25 October 1929, Page 13

KAHIKA ASHORE

TRAPPED IN ROADSTEAD BY SQUALL GALLANT FIGHT FOR BEAROOM £Paa Uhitxd Press Asoocutiom.] GISBORNE, October 24. Trapped by sudden and violent squalls this morning, the Kahika was driven ashore on Waikanae Beach. When the wind began to increase before daylight preparations were made on board” the Kahika to put to sea. The anchor was taken up, and the vessel steamed against the wind for a time, but a sudden increase in the force of the gale carried her back, and it soon became apparent that there was little chance of getting her out of the bay by taking the usual direct lino against the wind. The course was changed in an endeavour to use the velocity of the gale to assist the vessel, but this manoeuvre also failed, the Kahika being driven back to a point at which there was insufficient space for the handling of the vessel easdy. Within a few minutes after the change of course it became evident that the gale was going to beat the Kahika’s engines, and as the shore drew nearer the crew made preparations for leaving the ship. The stem of the Kahika touched first in about Bft of water, and a few moments later the ship began to swing broadside on to the wind. This made the evacuation of the crew easy, the hull of the Kahika breaking the force of the seas; and the boats made a good passage through the surf, a distance of about 100yds. Later, as the tide rose, the vessel moved a little and gradually worked her way down the beach. Tire Kahika was still firmly embedded on the Waikanae Beach tonight. The weather showed no improvement during the day, heavy rain falling and a strong southerly wind bringing up a rough sea. Nothing fins been done towards getting the vessel off, as operations have been delayed pending the arrival of the tug Terawhiti, which left Wellington for Gisborne at 2.20 p.m. When the tide ran out to-day it was seen that the Kahika had lost two of her propeller blades. MASTER’S SEAMANSHIP PRAISED MAY BE KEDGED OFF. The members of the Kahika’s crew state that they owe a good deal to the seamanship of Captain Gardner, whoso handling of the vessel under trying circumstances is described with enthusiasm. in view of the fact that an inquiry will be made the officers are reticent and refuse to discuss the occurrence. Arrangements for refloating will not be taken in hand until the weather moderates. The position of the Kahika appears favourable for comparatively easy reiloating. The vessel lies head on to the beach, and, though well up on the sand, the opinion of shipping men is that she can bo hedged off on Hood tides. The Kahika bad about 200 tons of cargo aboard, and would have cleared the roadstead yesterday but for the fact that Show Day intervened, with a general holiday on the waterfront, Portion of the ship’s cargo was loaded at Napier for South Island ports, the balance being general merchandise and produce shipped from South Island ports for Gisborne. If the forward part of the Kahika proves to be high and dry at low tide the cargo for this port will be discharged into vehicles on the beach. A BIG STORM DAMAGE AT SHOW GROUNDS SLIP ON RAILWAY LINE. GISBORNE, October 24. Very heavy rain, accompanied by a strong southerly wind, has been failing almost continuously for the last twentyfour hours, and some of the rivers in the back country districts are rising. A slip on tlie Gisbornc-Motu lino blocked through rail traffic, and a train loft Gisborne intending to tranship the passengers. On reaching Te Karaka, however, it was found that the wafer in the tunnel was nl a dangerous height, am! the train returned to Gisborne. The storm played havoc at the show grounds, where a large number of tents and booths, which were not dismantled after the close of the people’s clay proceedings, were blown down and badly torn. The side-show campers wore driven out of the tents during the night, and had to take refuge in the grand stand.