Port Bowen Unmoved After Sixth Effort

Northern Advocate, 24 July 1939, Page 5

Port Bowen Unmoved After Sixth Effort

WANGANUI, Saturday. The Port Line steamer Port Bowen is still stranded on CastleclifT beach. Despite the efforts of three powerful tugs,‘the liner refused to move yes* terday. A further attempt is being made today to get the vessel into deep water A commencement has been made to unload the refrigerated cargo, The vessel yesterday afternoon had a decided list. Following the unsuccessful attempts at high tide at 1.15 a.m. yesterday, every effort was concentrated to get the ship off by the next tide yesterday afternoon, but the effort failed. Tire Port Bowen’s engines were not used, because this would agitate the sand, which might bo drawn into the condensers and refrigerating plant. The cargo of frozen meat is causing much anxiety, because of the possibility of the blocking, by sand, of the pumps which serve the cooling system. If this happened, the whole of the meat would be spoiled.

Interest in the stranded steamer, and also in the work on the Castlecliff wharf, fs unabated, and sightseers come and go throughout the day and night. The Wanganui City Tramways have in consequence benefited. The Marine Superintendent of the Port Line, Captain S, E. Gregory, of Wellington, interviewed by wireless telephone, expressed appreciation of the assistance he was receiving in the work of lightering the vessel, and also the attempts of the tugs to move her from the beach. He said that everything was going along well, and he was satisfied with the way all hands were co-operating, and thankful for the assistance he had received from the Wanganui Harbour Board. Sixth Attempt Unsuccessful. The sixth unsuccessful attempt to pull the Port Bowen off Castlecliff beach was made at 1.39 p.m. today. The vessel fs at present dumping her 3000 tons of bunker coal, and an early start is to be made with the unloading of her frozen meat.