LAUNCH IN PERIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22345, 17 February 1936, Page 8

LAUNCH IN PERIL

TOURIST VESSEL ■ BREAKDOWN AT SEA WIRELESS MESSAGE FOR HELP [BT TELEGRAPH—OWN' CORRESPONDENT] NELSON, Saturday After breaking down off Farewell Spit and drifting and riding at anchor for 15 hours, the new Government tourist launch Donald Sutherland was taken in tow by the steamer Titoki and brought to Nelson, arriving at 9 o'clock this morning. The launch was berthed alongside the Titoki, where repairs will be made by the Anchor Foundry staff and the launch's engineer. The Donald Sutherland, which is to be stationed at Milford Sound for the use of tourists, Jeft Auckland on Wednesday,. February 5. "We had a very rough time coming down," said the master, Captain J. K. Saint, this morning. Stormy weather was experienced down to Wellington. The launch left Wellington on Wednesday, going down to Hitch Point on Thursday the weather was very bad and they were obliged to go back again and anchor at Totaranui Bay. They left there at 11.15 'a.m., but at about 1.15 in the afternoon the engine broke down and the launch drifted for several miles. Anchor Dragging It then started to blow from the south-east, and the crew had a difficult job in getting the anchor to hold. For 15 hours they had the unpleasant experience of tossing about off Farewell Spit until picked up by the Titoki and brought into Nelson after a choppy trip. The launch is to go on to the slip for examination of the tailshaft, and will proceed on her journey as soon as the repairs are completed to the engine. The cause of the trouble is not known at present. "We received a wireless message at 8 o'clock last night to take the launch in tow," said the chief officer of the Titoki, Mr. L. T. Palmer, "and that she had broken down and was hove-to with sails set off Farewell Spit. We increased speed and arrived' off the spit at 1.30 a.m., but could not locate the launch." The unusual method with which they got into wireless communication with the Donald Sutherland was mentioned by the chief officer. The Titoki could not strike the launch's wave-length, so was in constant radio communication with Auckland, which in turn was in touch with Wellington, which station made contact with the launch. Good Handling o! Titoki Auckland advised the Titoki that her masthead light had just come into the view of those on the launch, and after 2 a.m. the steamer observed the launch's light. Mr. Palmer praised the handling of the Titoki by Captain W. Wahlstrom. It was a fine piece of work on the master's part, he said. The captain worked the ship in close to the surf, got a heaving-line aboard, and took the launch in tow. There was a moderate sea running at the time, and as the Titoki was in only 16 feet of water and was drawing 13ft. 6in., it was cutting it fine. Asked if those on the launch were in any danger, Mr. Palmer said that if the wind had freshened they would have been in a bad position.'. Full details of the breakdown have not been received in Auckland and it is not known how both the engine and tailshaft could have been affected. The Donald Sutherland, which was built by Collings and Bell, of Auckland, is 45ft. in length, 114 ft. in beam and about sft. in depth. A 50-55 horse-power Diesel engine gives a maximum speed of 10 knots. On the present trip Captain J. K. Saint is skipper, and others on board are Mr. N. McGregor, engineer, Mr. -J. D. Ferguson, wireless operator, and Mr. Thomas, of the Public Works Department.