STEAMER SQUALL IN TROUBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13455, 4 June 1907, Page 5

STEAMER SQUALL IN TROUBLE.

MAIN PISTON BREAKS. VESSEL TOWED TO GISBORNE. [BY telegraph.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ■ Gisborne, Monday. , The Union Steam Ship Company's steamer Squall, from. Auckland to Gisborne, via Tolago Bay, was rendered helpless off Tuahine Point at a-quarter to two p.m. yesterday through a break in the stem of the piston rod. of the steamer, and she was anchored. -■■'-'..'-'"• The first intimation that was received in the town was through the signalling by the Tyser liner Jiiwarii, anchored in the bay. The signals were given after four p.m., but those who saw them, not understanding the meaning of the flags, did not attach a great deal of importance to them, and their significance was not realised until a boat, containing four men, well soaked, with salt spray, came up into the river at'"a-quarter to five. / The boat contained Chief-Officer Perotti and three men, and the following report from Captain Benton was delivered to Mr. Revell, the Gisborne manager of the company: —" I beg to report that ~ when two miles and a-half E.S.E. of Tuahine Point the main piston broke. I have anchored in' ■' 18£ fathoms of water. lam sending a boat to take this ashore, and am flying signals for a tug. It would be advisable to tow her inside with to-night's tide, as it will be some days before the damage can be repaired. The ship is safe, so long as the wind and sea do not make ifor' a few hours." ! The manager at once set to work to get the men connected with the steamer Tuatea together, and at eight o'clock that vessel set out for the Squall to take her into Port Gisborne. The Tuatea reached the Squall at/nine o'clock, and by half-past nine lines had been attached, and the. smaller vessel had the larger one well under way for Gisborne. Everything went smoothly for the towing, and by a-quarter" to twelve p.m. the Squall was berthed at the wharf. /