Kiwitea Floats Off Gravel Bank

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 135, 11 June 1935, Page 6

Kiwitea Floats Off Gravel Bank

BUT OMAN A IS STILL HELD FAST Per Press Association. GBEYMOUTH, Last Night. After having been for nineteen hours aground on the gravel deposit near the training wall on the north bank of the Grey river the steamer Kiwitea this afternoon released herself at -1.10 o’clock. She then floated slightly down stream in the live-knot current but soon steamed across towards the wharf, dropping anchor and being moored without delay. The steamer Omana, which on Sunday morning broke her moorings and was stranded on the north bank similarly to the Kiwitea, also endeavoured at high tide this afternoon to free herself. She moved slightly but the gravel under her amidships held her, aud the efforts were discontinued until five o’clock to-morrow when she will be aided by the steamer Kaliugo. The tug Terawhiti en route from ■ Wellington, is not arriving to-night having had to shelter from tho weather. The Kiwitea aud Omana appear to be both undamaged. The latter has less depth directly astern than the former had but there is every hope with the Kalingo’s tow that the Omana will be refloated. No cargo has been shifted from either vessel. The flood has almost 'subsided. The weather conditions are very wintry throughout the West Coast. Know has fallen heavily upon the ranges extending to areas below the foothills, especi-. ally along the Olira lino. Telephonic and telegraphic communications with Canterbury are still cut off.