THE HIMITANGI AFLOAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14959, 4 April 1912, Page 7

THE HIMITANGI AFLOAT.

RETURNS TO WELLINGTON. LITTLE ; DAMAGE APPARENT. ■ fBT TBIEGBAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. The Chatham Islands Fishing Company's steamer Himitangi, which was ashore near Waitangi (Chatham Islands), arrived this morning. The Himitangi went ashore at about five a.m. on February 11 in Petre Bay, about 2£ miles from Waitangi. The Himitangi, it will be remembered, dragged her anchors during the night and went up on to the beach. Petre Bay in westerly gales is a bad place to lie in on account cf the heavy seas that roll in, but fortunately the weather was fair to moderate all tho time, although the tides were bad. When the Himitangi arrived nt Petre Bay she had a full cargo.of fish, which had to be thrown overboard. All efforts to get her off under her own steam and appliances failing, an attempt was made* by the Gertie to tow her off, but this did not answer. When the Himitangi arrived to-day in tow of the Gertie and also under own etcani, Captain J. C. Cowan, her master, ▼as seen by a reporter, but for the moment be declined to make any statement in connection with the stranding. "The ship f* all right," was the utmost he would say. She was got off at one p.m. on Thursday fist, and left at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday for Wellington. Fine weather with light north-west winds were experienced all the way. ~ * The Himitangi brings up no fish. Mr. Walker, Lloyd's surveyor, who recently succeeded Captain Bendall, cams up by the vessel. He had been down to direct the salving of the steamer, which is worth between £7000 and £8000, and is insured for £5000. From Mr. Walker it was learned that the usual tackle was used in getting tho ship off. Anchors were put out at about v 1000 ft off the shore, and the Himitangi hauled on to the tackle with hor own winches. The Gertie assisted, and when the Himitangi was ready for sea took her in tow. A slight leak was discovered before leaving Waitangi, but this was speedily rectified, being easy to get at from outside. Her rudder was also slightly damaged. The Himitangi will go on to the patent slip for repairs and general overhaul.