OCCIDENT AT MANUKAU BAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13194, 4 June 1906, Page 5

OCCIDENT AT MANUKAU BAR.

MUEITAI BREAKS HER SHAFT

• A PERILOUS EXPERIENCE. The' Northern Company's steamer Muritai, which left Onehunga on Saturday afternoon for Opunake and Wangaraui with a largo general cargo, had it perilous experience, her tail shaft breaking just as the steamer was between the spi' and the South Head. The steamer was a.t the time in a heavy sea, but Captain A. Stephenson, the master of the steamer, acted very promptly. Both anchors were let go, and signals asking for assistance displayed. The accident happened about five p.m., and the night being dark and very dirty rockets were sent up and blue lights burned. The steamer Squall, outward • bound to Kaipara, came within a short distance of the Muritai, but as the water was very shallow, she could not undertake the task of taking the disabled steamer in tow, and continued on her passage. Word haying been sent to Mr. C. Ranson, the general manager 01 the Northern Steamship Company, he at once communicated with Captain W. F. Norbury, master of. the Ra.rawa. and Mr. W. Laird, the assistant superintending engineer. Mr. Gow, the chief of the Department, being indisposed. At nine p.m. the Rarawa left Onehuuga to assist the disabled vessel. The weather was very stormy, and owing to there being very little water in the south channel, the Rarawa had to go out through the main channel. •As soon as the Muritai was sighted, the Rarawa made towards her, and after some difficulty a line was passed to the disabled vessel, which was secured. There was a very heavy sea on at the time, and Captain Norbury. of the Rarawa, decided to tow the Muritai out to sea for a time. It was about one o'clock yesterday when the steamer was taken in tow, and after standing out for some time the steamers took the south channel. When about the middle of the channel was reached the tow line parted, during one of the heaviest of the breaks. Smart work by the crews cf both steamers just succeeded in averting disaster, and another line was promptly got out, and passed from the Rarawa to the Muritai. After some hours of hard work the steamers reached Ouehunga Wharf safely, berthing about eight a.m. yesterday. Captain Stephenson says that the steamer and all on board had a. very narrow escape, for if the anchors had. not held the steamer must have gone ashore. The shaft broke inside of the tube, the propeller being still attached. The Muritai was beached at Onehunga Inst night for repairs. ■