MOTOR-SHIP REFLOATED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21137, 21 March 1932, Page 8

MOTOR-SHIP REFLOATED

REMOVAL OF THE CARGO. TOA BERTHED AT WHARF. SHEATHING OF HULL DAMAGED. [RY TELEORArn. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WITAEATANK. Saturday. The motor vessel Toa, which grounded on the bar in the western channel yesterday afternoon, was refloated at high tide early this morning and was berthed at the wharf. Tho vessel has suffered no apparent damage except to the sheathing on the bull, but she was leaking.

I,ate last night launches attempted to assist in refloating the Toa, but a heavy sea. set in. At one o'clock this morning waves were coming over the vessel. The heavy seas swung her gradually info the western channel. The vessel turned round and was grounded on the eastern side of the harbour entrance, near the Narrows, in a safe, condition. Outside the seas

were, heavy. Mr. G. Clark's launch stood by all night, while other launches and the auxiliary vessel Otimai proceeded to Whale Island for shelter. Mr. Clark made ropes fast between the. boat and the. rocks, and on the flood tide at three o'clock this morning'she drifted to tho channel. The Harbour Board launch which ran aground near the Toa yesterday, was successfully refloated.

From 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. launches lightered the Toa's cargo, bringing it to the wharf. Considerable damage was done to the sheathing on the Toa's hull as a result of contact with the rocks.