OMANA STILL ON BANK

Grey River Argus, 12 June 1935, Page 5

OMANA STILL ON BANK

EFFORTS TO FLOAT HER FAIL. Two unsuccessful efforts at high tide, one yesterday morning and the other in the evening, were made to refloat the s.s. Omana, which with the s.s. Kiwitea broke her moorings from the wharf in the Grey river on Sunday morning, and drifted on to a gravel bank on the northern side of the river, beside the training wail. It was apparent last evening that the vessel remained fast amidships. At high tide yesterday morning, the Omana indicated some movement, and * it was hoped to free her, but the head wire slipped on the windlass of Gie vessel, with the result that valuable time was lost.

Last evening’s efforts to shift the Omana which again proved abortive, the vessel failing to budge at all were more elaborate than the previous ones. A wire was placed between the starboard bow of the Kalingo (and the starboard bow of the Omana. . while* another -wire was run from th- ’ Kiwitea forecastle head to the shirboard side of tin* Omana; and a third 4-inch wire off the Omana was run on to the wharf. Attempts were continued right up until 7.15 p.m.. but the vessel did not move a fraction. Another attempt in a similar manner will be made at high tide at 5.15 o’clock this morning. Owing to the delay of the tug Torawhiti, and the adverse state of the bar, it has not been possible to try towing the Omana from the stern. The Terawhiti was still sheltering last evening from heavy seas behind Farewell Spit. She is to proceed to Greymouth as soon as the weather moder ates, if she should still be required. It has been ascertained that the Kiwi tea has suffered no serious structural damage, whilst it is also consid- * <*red unlikely that the Omana Ims suffered any. No doubt, the subsidence of the flood waters and the consequent decrease in current militated against the earlier release of the Omana from tlx* bank-, but the tides will be niak ing as from to-day, and there will be spring tides on Juno 17. The depth of water will then be a s great as. or even greater than, the peak depth when the river Was flooded. There is now a current of about four knots running in the river. There are not likely to be any shipping movements until a clearance is made. SMALL BOAT LOSES RUDDER. A further mishap ensued in the Grey River at 11.30 a.in. yesterday. The fishing vessel the “Silver Fern” was commissioned to deliver a message to the Omana. and drew up to her on the north side, between the stranded ship ami the training wall. There, getting into shallow water, she had her rudder torn away. The crew of the Omana came to her aid with ropes, and after two hours of difficult manoeuvring. the Silver Fern was made fast alongside the steamer, where she will require to remain till •‘he Omana is refloated.