STEAMER BREEZE

Evening Star, Issue 20980, 19 December 1931, Page 11

STEAMER BREEZE

VESSEL’S NARROW ESCAPE DAMAGE TO HULL [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 18. The Breeze was remarkably fortunate to get into Port Robinson at all. It was astonishing for the vessel to get into the position where she grounded. She had to make a complete right-angle turn from her course, and the ship and her company were very _ fortunate to negotiate the comparatively narrow passage between the reefs which fringe the bay and then to gx-ound on tlxe only safe stretch of beach in the whole bay. It was fortunate that there was a rising tide, and the vessel was floated off without hedging or any similar operation. Residents report that before 7 a.m. the sounding of a foghorn was heard, apparently being blown by a vessel coming from Wellington and crossing Gore Bay. Twenty minutes later an alarm was raised in the small settlement. At the top of tho 300 ft cliffs which surround the hay the crashing of a vessel’s bow on the gravel of the beach and on the boulder sea bottom was clearly heard. Mon scrambled dovyn the cliff face and there saw a steamer 60yds out aground. The men of the crew were reconnoitring tho position in a dinghy. They asked the people on shore to- communicate with the Canterbury Steamship Company asking for urgent help. This was done but the vessel 'got off and disappeared in the fog without further advice whether or not assistance was needed. With her pumps working at full pressure the Breeze made good time to Lyttelton. The hull is extensively damaged along the port bilge. She will be docked for repairs. The damage to the Storm is almost similar.