MINERVA'S BOUGH TRIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18244, 10 November 1922, Page 8

MINERVA'S BOUGH TRIP.

AUCKLAND TO ONEHUNGA.

CREW TAKE TO BAI LINO.

A very rough voyage from Auckland to Onehunga was experienced recently by the steamer Minerva, of 20 tons net. The steamer formerly belonged to the Clevedon Steam Navigation Company, and used to run between Auckland, and Clevedon. She was recently sold to Mr. C. S. West, of Helensville, who intended to use her for towing logs on the Kaipara Harbour. Last Monday week she left Auckland for Kaipara Harbour, with Captain W. J. Lyon in command. . A strong north-west wind was blowing, and the Minerva made slow progress as far as Cape Maria via Diemen, which sh» rounded on Saturday morning. The Kaipara har was too rough to attempt * crossing on Sunday, so the Minerva held on and headed for ths Manukau Harbour. ;'/ The sea continued so rough that? the ■ steamer began to take in water, while t|a pumps refused to act efficiently. \l%vti impossible to keep any coal on the hold plates, though the boiler fires did not ■ gd out. The crew wete forced, to lpe|> bailing with buckets and_ tins from thW o'clock on Sunday morning, while a further difficulty was caused by the breaiinj of one of the shaft couplings. , 1; ' When the vessel was off the Manuka* Heads, the wind went round to the south and moderated, while the bar was fairly smooth. The coal was about exhausted, but the bar" was crossed safely, .and th» Onebunga Ttfharf was reached on Mbndtf evening, the engines being kept going with the last of the coal and wood. ; •;