TOURIST LAUNCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22351, 24 February 1936, Page 10

TOURIST LAUNCH

CAUSE OF BREAKDOWN VESSEL AT MILFORD SOUND Tho breakdown to the tourist launch Donald Sutherland off Farewell Spit on February 14 was due not to engine failure or a fault in the tailshaft, according to information received by the builders, Messrs. Collings and Bell, of Auckland, but to the fact that the vessel, while crossing Farewell Spit, bumped on the bar on two occasions. Earlier reports of the accident stated that the engine broke down, and that tho launch drifted for 15 hours before being picked up by the Titoki and towed to Nelson. It was also stated that an examination of the tailshaft would bo necessary. A letter from the Public Works Department states that Mr. C. W. Thomas, its representative on the launch, had made a full report on the matter. According to this, as a result of touching the bar, the outboard water-lubricated bearing outside the stern gland was damaged, and the shaft seized, "The vessel was towed to Nelson and slipped there," the letter continues. "No damage at all occurred to the hull, nor to an}' other part of the vessel. She came through the ordeal very well indeed, and we are very pleased with the workmanship." A telegram has also been received by Messrs. Collings and Bell from the Tourist Department's manager at Milford Sound. He states that the Donald Sutherland arrived there on Friday evening, having averaged 10 knots on the voyage from Nelson. The telegram concluded: —"Splendid job. Congratulations."

Tho launch is to be used for taking tourists on trips round Milford Sound. Captain Saint was engaged by the Tourist Department to take tho vessel from Auckland, and he was accompanied on the trip by an engineer and a wireless operator, in addition to the Public Works Department's representative.