MOTOR VESSEL HAS TROUBLE AT FOXTON.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 March 1930, Page 8

MOTOR VESSEL HAS TROUBLE AT FOXTON.

delayed by broken peopelloe

The motor vessel Foxton, owned by the Canterbury (Steamship Company, which started running a direct service between the port of Foxton and Lyttelton last August, has experienced difficulty in negotiating the bar and the river channel at the Manawatu seaport on several trips and at present the vessel lies awaiting a suitable tide, so as to have repairs effected to a broken propeller. This damage was sustained when the ship was coming up the river in the early hours last Saturday morning With half a complement of cargo, totalling approximately 160 tons, the vessel was only drawing 6 feet 5 inches of w'ater -when the propeller was broken. This happened just after crossing the bar and on this occasion, as previously, it took an hour and a-quarter to pass over Robinson’s flat—the mudbank situated six miles from the mouth. Finally, to negotiate this portion, it was found necessary to reverse the ship, thus allowing the stern to cut its own channel. The remaining .mile to the wharf was covered without mishap and the freight was subsequently discharged.

Since mid-day on Saturday, however, endeavours have been made to replace the damaged blades without success, as the fall of the tide has not been sufficient to allow the work to bo accomplished. According to its schedule the boat should have commenced the return trip to Lyttelton on Saturday, as another, cargo is awaiting shipment at that port.