MISHAP TO STEAMER.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10727, 26 October 1928, Page 4

MISHAP TO STEAMER.

A KARA AY A ON MANUKAU BAR. SMASH IN ENGINE ROOM. YESSEL TOAYED SAFELY TO ONEHUNGA. a (Press Association.) AUCKLAND. Oct. 25. When crossing Manukau Bar about 1> o’clock this morning, the Northern Company’s small steamer Arapawa, bound from AYanganui to Onehunga, met with a severe mishap. A bolt in the piston crank broke as the result of the screw racing out of the water, and the piston, which , continued working, smashed the cylinder to pieces and hurtled jagged pieces of steel in all directions in the engineroom. The' second engineer,. H. Budge, and the fireman, CVLambden, who were working there miraculously escaped injury. The vessel’s two anchors were put out, and signals for assistance sent to Manukau Head. Repair work was impossible owing to the flooding of the engine-room. For six hours .the, vessel held on to her anchors on the edge of treacherous sands, her decks lashed by. tremendous breakers. The small steamer Alexandria was despatched from Onehunga and towed the Arapawa in safely, arriving at tlie wharf at 6.45 to-night. Interviewed, the officers said there was nothing to indicate that the crossing of the bar would be unduly difficult, and signalled confirmation was given from the heads. The vessel went through the first set of breakers without trouble, though the screw faced badly when the stern rose-out of the water. The engines began to race again when the vessel went over the next lot of breakers, and. then when the screw plouged into the water again the smash came.