Veronica Gets Clear Of Wharf and Later Leaves for Auckland

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5573, 11 February 1931, Page 7

Veronica Gets Clear Of Wharf and Later Leaves for Auckland

TO BE DOCKED FOR INSPECTION (Times Special.) • NAPIER, Last Night. Although speculation has been rife for some time in regard to the pcssibility of H.M.S. Veronica getting clear of tho berthage at Port Ahuriri, Napier, and putting to sea undamaged, all doubts have now been set at rest, the sloop leaving to-day for Auckland where she will be docked for inspection and an overhaul. Tho Veronica had been alongside one of the wharves in tho inner harbour at the port when tho earthquake occurred and, at one stage, when the water ran out, sho was left aground. All tho wire mooring lines broke under the strain but, fortunately, tho ropes (of New Zealand flax) held and prevented tho vessel from rolling over on her side. The ship was bumped considerably and the returning water poured into the portholes, while the adjacent wharves were badly damaged. Navy Gets Things Done. Very few spectators witnessed the Veronica’s departure from her moorage to-day, although tho process was a slow ouo and required a great deal of careful handling. As tho tide was beginning to ebb about midday tho vessel left the berth the broken pier. Tho sloop had been lying with her how inshore and a launch carried a line from the starboard bow with tho intention of hauling the bow around to enable her to get out of the channel. Tho movement was very slow and, after a time, another launch was requisitioned to noso tho Veronica on the port bow. The movement was thus accelerated hut eventually the vessel came to a stop. It was then resolved to use a tug to tow tho sloop stern-first down tho narrow channel, in the shallowest part of which there was calculated to be 14 inches of water to spare. An Hour’s Hard Work. It took about an hour to accomplish the difficult task but eventually the ship was to be seen rising and falling with the swell—a signal of success. H.M.S. Veronica then put out to sea and sailed for Auckland, H.M.S. Diomede following an hour later to act as escort. Vessel Probably Strained. The sloop will be docked at tho Queen City to ascertain the damage sustained through the week’s buffetting and the actual ’quake. In regard to damage it is known that some of the water-tight doors in tho, bulkhead will not completely close.