STEAMERS AGROUND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22131, 10 June 1935, Page 8

STEAMERS AGROUND

OMANA AND KIWITEA FLOOD IN GREY RIVER STRAIN SNAPS MOORINGS BOTH IN DANGEROUS POSITION [bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] GREYMOUTH, Sunday The most extraordinary accident in the history of the Grey River and the port of Greymouth occurred this morning about 9 o'clock, as a result of which two Union Steam Ship Company vessels, one the largest trading to the port, are in a dangerous position, hard and fast against the north training wall in the river. The vessels are the Omana, of 2550 tons, and the Kiwitea, of 2343 tons.

The primary cause of the mishap was the sudden flooding of the river as the result of heavy rainfall in the back countrv yesterday afternoon. Ijast night the rain was warm and melted the snow on the ranges, and within 12 hours the river rose from a little above normal to a state of moderately high flood, running about eight knots at 9 o'clock this morning. With the strain caused by the flood in the river the cast iron shackle on the main mooring chain of the Omana snapped without wnrning. The vessel swung out into the river, quickly breaking her lighter moorings, and began to drift downstream out of control. She fouled the moorings of the Kiwitea, which was tied up at the wharf below her, with the result her lines gave way and she also began to drift down with the flood. Crew Jump to Safety One chain cable on the Omana held and through the winch slipping under the strain remained attached to the wharf and the bow of the steamer. She swung round in the river and stuck fast with her bow apparently up on the rocks about 10ft. from the north training wall opposite the second beacon. The anchor of the Kiwitea was immediately dropped. It dragged until the vessel also swung round with her bow a few feet from the training wall in a similar position to that of the Omana, but about 300 yards further downstream, or just opposite the end of the wharf. As the Omana broke away from "the wharf three members of the crew jumped from her deck to the wharf while twelve members of the crew of the Kiwitea also jumped for safety. These men were later taken by taxi to Cobden, rowed across the Cobden Lagoon, and taken back aboard their vessels by means of a breeches buoy, the lines for which had already been made fast. Vessels Hard and Fast During the remainder of the day repeated efforts were made by harbour officials to get a line across from the end of the wharf to the Kiwitea by means of a rocket appliance, but until late afternoon they were unsuccessful. Eventually, however, one rocket landed over the bow of the Kiwitea and by means of a wire pilot line a heavy cable was got on board with the aid of the vessel's winch which, however, was not equai to taking up the strain of the rope on the wharf. Both vessels have apparently settled into beds in spite of the strong current beating against their sides, and have not moved except to become more parallel with the flow of the river than when they first grounded. The bow of the Omana is high in the air, the gauge showing only eight feet forward, compared with her actual draught of over 16 feet. On the other hand the Kiwitea is low down in the water and appears to have settled down more during the day. Cargo for Auckland No effort was made to-day to get a line aboard the Omana, as apparently she is stuck fast, and she has one chain line still attached to the wharf. Owing to the flood the efforts made for the safety and the salvaging of the vessels were severely handicapped and it was unsafe for any type of small boat or tug to ventxire out into the river. The Omana is loaded with nearly 1.250.000 feet of timber for Melbourne and Adelaide. The Kiwitea is also fully loaded wi'.h 3000 tons of coal and timber for Miramar, Auckland and New Plymouth. The steamer Kalingo, also the dredge Mawhera, were moored at the wharf above the others. The flood was not exceptional, but the Omana is the largest ship trading at Greymouth. Both vessels, which were awaiting the bar to moderate to enable them to sail, had been moved down the river last evening, as it is usual to turn vessels of their size near the end of the wharf. About seven o'clock this morning the crew of the Omana commenced putting out extra cables as it could be seen that there was going to be a flood in the river, which at this time was rising fairly rapidly. Refloating Effort Tails

An unsuccessful attempt was made to refloat the Omana at five o'clock this afternoon with her own power and it is now intended to wait until the flood subsides before a further attempt is made. It is proposed that the Kiwitea should attempt to pull herself off at four o'clock to-morrow morning if the flood subsides. The Union Company's tug Terawhiti is now on her way from Wellington to assist. The only previous instance of a breakaway was on July 16, 1900, when the steamer Taupo was swept to the bar, becoming a total loss.

The Omana formerly belonged to Lamb and Company. She has a crew of 34 and is 303 ft. long. Captain J. L. Brisco is in command. The Kiwitea's crew numbers 33 and her length is 250 ft. She is commanded by Captain J. Bruce.