Six Launches Ashore At Russell

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1942, Page 2

Six Launches Ashore At Russell

(Special)

RUSSELL, This Day,

A watery dawn at Russell this morning disclosed six launches cast up by tempestuous seas and a gale of great velocity. Never has such a sight of devastation been witnessed on the beach before.

As Russell relies almost exclusively upon sea transport from Opua railhead, the blow is a serious one for the township, more especially as several of the best commercial craft have been rendered unseaworthy, at least for some considerable time. Cn the Strand outside the hotel, Mr. Fred Limbert’s ‘ Orion has been pounded into an unsalvageable state. Near the post office, the Doris, belonging to Fuller and Sons, has been opened up in every seam, while water is pouring out of the portholes of the Lady Helen, owned by the same firm. Before daybreak this morning Mr. Fuller and others were attempting to refloat these boats. Soldiers Lent a Hand

The Army rallied quickly in the emergency and with the use of the latest mechanical equipment, salvaged a private launch owned by Mr. Kingi Heihei, towlines being attached to mechanised vehicles driven along the wharf.

Also ashore are the Government launch, Alice, which was to have made a trip to the Cape Brett Lighthouse today, and the Colleen, owned by the Fisheries Inspector (Mr. Claude Gibbs).

The remainder of Russell’s fleet was moved to sheltered Matawhi Bay, where no damage occurred. At 11 p.m. last night the barometer read 29.5, and the gale swung from easterly to westerly.