DISABLED STEAMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21225, 4 July 1932, Page 5

DISABLED STEAMER.

END OF HAZARDOUS TOW. CREW'S SEVERE ORDEAL. The cargo steamer Millnna reached Port Adelaide on June 18 in tow of the tug Uco, after a hazardous passage of 700 miles. The Milluna, which wa3 Ijound from Dairen (Manchuria) to Port Lincoln, to load wheat for Vladivostok, broke her propeller shaft in the Great Australian Bight on June 5, and drifted helplessly for about 200 miles until taken in tow by the Uco five days lat-r. Although the seas had been exceptionally rough for si;ven days, conditions were comparatively calm when the accident occurred!. By noon the folloiving day a heavy swell developed, causing the lightlyballasted Mil!una to roll alarmingly. Officers and! crew undertook the difficult task of lashing the propeller to prevent it from dropping out, itnd, after several vain attempts., were successful. The officers stated that the vessel, during her drift, repeatedly canted, sometimes ail much as 40 degrees, and they feared that- she might turn tmrtle. Much crockery was b.roken and drawers were hurled from the furniture in the officers* quarters.,

The captain of thi> Ueo stated that rough ■weather was experienced throughout the tow until the lee of Kangaroo Island was react ed.