s.s. KOROWAI REFLOATED

Grey River Argus, 8 February 1941, Page 3

s.s. KOROWAI REFLOATED

IN GREY RIVER After 131 Hours’ Stranding After being stranded for over thirteen hours in the Grey River, the Union Company’s steamer, “Korowai," of 1,424 tons, commanded by Captain E. R. Lowe, was refloated, about 8.15 o’clock last evening. At 7 p.m., two attempts-were made to refloat the vessel, by the s.s. “Kara’’ but they proved- unavailing, as they only pulled the stern around, leaving the bow still embedded in a sand bank. However, after the two unsuccessful attempts, due to- the breaking of lines, the aid of two railway engines (one a “W.F. and the other a B Class engine), was enlisted, and after about half an hour’s pulling, the ship’s bow was freed.

Three ropes were snapped in all during the operations, and on tne first two occasions the vessel swung back into her original position. At about 9.35, the vessel re-berthed with her bow facing the sea. She leaves this morning for Auckland, she having sustained no damage except for the crushing of the vessel’s belting at 1 the stern. | When the endeavour to refloat the ■ “Korowai” was in progress last even- | ing, there was a crowd attracted to the wharf to see the operations. I which were efficiently directed by the Harbour Master (Captain H. M-oar;. I The “Korowai”, which had been in 'port since January 30, or about eight I davs, stranded when she struck an isolated shingle bank, as she swung ' away from the berth at the lower end I of the wharf, at 7 a.m., to commence her journey to Auckland. The vessel, which is laden just short of capacity, with about 1,400 tons of coal, ana 45,000 superficial feet of timber, 1 struck the bank near her foremast. I and quickly became fast. She was ] drawing 18 ft. 10 ins. aft and 17 ft. 6 ins. forward, and according to the soundings, which were taken yesterday morning, there should have been ample clearance. The river was extensively sounded on Wednesday, after the heavy run of February 3, and the berthage below the “Korowai” had been dredged to remove the shingle, which had accumulated as a result of the fresh, and so as to enable the ship to be moved down about 600 feet to the usual position for swinging. No trouble had been expected, and as later soundings krevealed no further banks, the vessel must have struck an isolated obstruction. Although high tide was at 7.30 o'clock last evening the present tines are neap, and the rise from low to high tide has been very small indeed, partly due to the southerly weather. The depth of water on the bar at high water last evening was 25 ft. 10 ins., and the depth of the river was 19 ft-