MISHAP TO STEAMER

Evening Star, Issue 23322, 19 July 1939, Page 8

MISHAP TO STEAMER

PORT BOWEN ASHORE ON SANDY BEACH IH NO IMMEDIATE DANGER TUGS STAND BY [Per United Press Association.) WANGANUI, July 19. The Port Bowen went ashore at 1 o’clock this morning about a quarter of a mile off the beach, and a mile from the harbour entrance. The vessel arrived at the roadstead about 1 o’clock this morning from Picton to load 20,000 carcasses of meat, and shortly afterwards grounded at low water. At the time the vessel cgme to rest on the beach, almost broadside on, with her bow pointing at a slight angle toward the shore, the sea was calm. The vessel took a list to starboard, and the pilot station was communicated with immediately. The crew of the tug Kahanui was summoned, and within two hours steam was up and the tug standing by. The pilot launch Karero was also taken out. The Port Bowen was in the act of turning when she grounded. The night was fairly clear looking seaward, hut misty on the land. The vessel was held on the sandy beach by her bow, and when the tide started to make she was described as “ alive.” The tug Kahanui, fully equipped with salvaging gear, was able to get close in to the stranded vessel, and made all preparations to lay hedge anchors should the wind spring up or the sea become rough. ATTEMPT TO REFLOAT VESSEL FAILS. The attempt to tow the Port Bowen off at high water (11 o’clock) proved unsuccessful, despite the united efforts of the tug Kahanui and the Anchor Company’s steamer Rata, combined with the stranded vessel’s own power. A slight southerly breeze sprang up but the sea remains calm and the weather is in favour of salvage operations. So far the vessel is in no immediate danger. She is almost fully loaded, and is drawing 29ft. Most of the cargo is refrigerated, but there is a quantity of general cargo, and some of this is to bo unloaded this afternoon so as to considerably lighten the vessel. Another attempt to refloat her will be made at 11 o’clock to-night, by which time the Union Company’s tug Torawhiti, from Wellington, will also be on the scene. The Port Bowen has on board for London 1,840 carcasses of mutton, 8,477 carcasses of lamb, 72 tons of sundries, 400 boxes of butter, 700 crates of cheese; for Newcastle. 10 tons of beef; for Southampton, 235 carcasses of mutton, 18,750 carcasses of lamb. 135 tons of sundries, and 150 crates of cheese.

[The Port Bowen, a twin-screw steamer built in 1919 for the Port Line Ltd., is of 8,267 tons gross, and 5,110 net, with a length between perpendiculars of 480 ft. She is commanded by Captain F. W. Bailey, and was leaving Wanganui for Wellington, her final loading port in New Zealand for London via Cape Horn, so she would have a fairly big draught.