S.S. HOLMLEA IN DANGER FROM A LEAK

Grey River Argus, 21 February 1949, Page 8

S.S. HOLMLEA IN DANGER FROM A LEAK

Nearly Into Buller Breakers Early Yesterday Towed by Tug to Westport Roadstead P.A. WESTPORT, Feb. 20. The Holm Shipping Company’s coastal vessel, Holmlea, sprang a leak after leaving Greymouth last evening with 600 tons of coal for Wanganui. When this became known she was north of Westport.

It was necessary for the Marine Department’s tug at Westport, the “James O’Brien,” to proceed hurriedly to the vicinity of Granity to take the stricken vessel in tow.

The tow proceeded until the vessels were off Westport.It was not possible, however, this afternoon, at high tide for them to enter the port of Westport. This was because the quantity of water in the ship was making it difficult to assess her draught accurately, while the sea conditions were such as to make it inadvisable to risk the tow across the bar.

It is apparent that the Holmlea was in difficulties for a time before she sent a radio message to Wellington. From Wellington the call was made to Westport for the assistance of a tug. The “James O’Brien” with the Westport Harbour master, Captain A. Ness, in charge, left port to-day at 3 a.m. She was expecting to meet the collier off the bar, but, instead, the tug had to proceed almost 15 miles up the coast before it could locate the Holmlea. By that time the ship had taken in a lot of water, which, presumably, flooded the stokehold and the engine room, as its fires were out, and it was lying helpless, close to the shore, in a strong south-westerly wind. The men on the tug saw breakers very close, and they found the work of getting a line on to the Holmlea very difficult, as there was a definite possibility that either of them might have gone ashore. LINE PUT ABOARD After a line was fastened to the collier, it broke, but a second attempt was more successful, and in spite of the heavy seas, it was possible for the rescue ship to get the Holmlea clear. It was hoped to enter Westport at high water to-day, but, after standing off the bar in a heavy swell from mid-day, the cable again broke just as consideration was being given to the possibility of taking her in. The dredge, “Eileen Ward,” was then standing close by, but the Holmlea was able to anchor in a -favourable position, just off the bar, allowing the other vessels to make port. It is intended to make an attempt to bring the collier to Westport on to-morrow morning’s tide, approximately at 5 a.m. In the meantime the Holmlea does not appear to be in any great danger, although she is well down in the water. The Holmlea carries a complement of IS men, and she has been a regular trader between West Coast and North Island ports. Captain R. Ness, the Westport Harbourmaster received the wireless advice from Wellington at 2 o’clock that the Holmlea was in difficulty because she was shipping water. The “James O’Brien” towed her towards Westport. At one o’clock this afternoon the “Holmlea” and the “James O’Brien” were lying outside of Westport awaiting a favourable tide. Although there was a slight possibility that the “Holmlea” would touch the bar it was decided to take her into port. This plan had later to be abandoned at the critical moment. Just before they were about to cross the bar, three towlines were carried overboard. Very heavy seas were running earlier but they moderated slightly about noon. The “Holmlea” dropped anchor half a mile out to sea while the tug returned to port to obtain new lines. Captain -Ness is expected to tow the “Holmlea” into port about 4 o’clock, high tide, in the morning.