HEAVY FOG

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1939, Page 2

HEAVY FOG

VESSELS DELAYED AT AUCKLAND.

(Per Press Association. —Copyright;.

AUCKLAND, August 21

Three large ships coming one alter another up the harbour this morning were suddenly blanketed in one of the densest logs tho city has experienced for many years. Within seconds all were shut out from the others’ sight, and anchored. As a result, when the sun finally dispersed the heavy fog, Auckland was given the remarkable spectacle of the Monowai, the Monterey and the freighter Inverbank lying at anchor one behind the other in the channel off Rangitoto, so close to one another than it was almost possible to shout across the intervening distances.

The Inverbank was the first to pass Tiritiri at 5.15 a.m., being followed at 6.30 a.m. by the Monowai, and at 6.35 a.m. by the Monterey. All picked up their pilots. A little laer the fog dropped down on them when the Monowai was just about to pass the Inverbank, and after continuing a short distance, and using their fog horns, the threevessels stopped and let go their anchors. The Monowai did not berth until 9.10 a.m., the Monterey came in, after waiting for the tugs to finish with the Monowai, at 9.30 a.m., and the Inverbank tied up at 10 o’clock. Meantime a large crowd of relatives and friends of the passengers on both liners stood at the end of the wharves gazing out into an impenetrable wall of fog over the inner harbour. Carrying boarding parties lor both the Monowai. and the Monterey, the customs launch left at 6.30 a.m.; but instead of coining alongside tile ships a quarter of an hour or so later, did not find them at all, until 7.30 a.m. The fog descended on the launch as it was crossing the harbour. Visibility was limited to a few yards, and tlu: location of the Devonport wharf was discovered only when the hell began' to ring from it. Then, before the launch had found its way past North Head, it touched slightly on a sand or mud hank without, however, stopping. After rounding North Head the launchman set a northerly course, and decided to hold it for 15 minutes. In 12 he found tho Inverbank. Within a few more minutes, helped by the clanging of their bells, he had come alongside the Monowai, and then the Monterey. The liners followed the custom by sounding their tog horns while in motion, and then using bells as soon as they anchored.