CRANE-SHIP'S LONG TRIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19383, 19 July 1926, Page 10

CRANE-SHIP'S LONG TRIP.

ADVENTURES OF RAPAKI. TWICE DRIVEN OFF COURSE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] GISBORNE, Saturday. "The finest sea boat I have ever handled," was the way in which Captain Mack described the Rapaki, the floating crane which he has brought out" from Scotland for the Lyttelton Harbour Board. Buffeted by a storm for nearly a week, the Rapaki ran short of coal and food and yesterday put in to Waipiro Bay for supplies. Sufficient coal to bring her on to Gisborne was put aboard later at Tokomaru Bay, and the vessel arrived in the roadstead this morning. Captain Mack, who has bad a long experience of handling strange craft, and who lias taken dredges, punts and tugs to all parts of the world, made light of the discomforts of the voyage. He said the ship left Greenock,. Scotland, in April ana had been steaming for 90 days. He brought the vessel via the Barbadoes, Colon and Papeete. From the latter port he was making for. Lyttelton when heavy, weather was experienced. For some days the vessel was unable to make any progress and food and coal ran short. When the gale was over it was found that there was insufficient coal to take the vessel to Lyttelton. Soon after the Rapaki left the English coast she ran into heavy weather and was driven 400 miles off her course. The vessel was unable to make any headway against the heavy* seas and all that could be done was to keep her well out to sea. For the remainder of the journey, until the New Zealand coast was close at hand, little difficulty was experienced. At times heavy weather kept the vessel back and put her off her course, but there was never any anxiety regarding her safety. Coal was taken aboard at Papeete, and after leaving that port a stowaway was found on board. He was brought on to New Zealand. Coal supplies are being taken aboard at Gisborne and the vessel will sail within the next day or two for Lyttelton. It is possible that she will call at Napier when on her way down the coast. To the landsman the vessel is most interesting. There is nothing of the trim merchantman about her. Short, squat and ugly, the most prominent feature is the high crane, which has been only partially dismantled. This crane is tested to 100 tons, but is rated 'as being of 80 tons capacity. The vessel is 55ft. wide and 110 ft. long. Her gross tonnage is 700 and she is capable of steaming at seven knots. The vessel is of the very latest type, the crane having been manufactured by the well-known ■firm of Arrol. It is the first of this type that has been brought to New Zealand and is similar ■ to. the one on order for the Wellington Harbour Board, and which will leave England within the course of the next few weeks.