HARBOUR LASHED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22627, 15 January 1937, Page 8

HARBOUR LASHED

SHIPPING BUFFETED TWO TUGS CALLED OUT LARGE VESSEL IN DIFFICULTY Considerable disturbance to shipping was caused last night when the south-easterly wind which had been blowing all day increased to gale force. So heavy were the seas that resulted from the combination of the wind and an out going tide that it was necessary for the acting harbourmaster, Captain F. S. Wainhouse, to keep a strong force on duty all night. Pedestrians on the waterfront found it hard to retain their balance in the strong wind. Two tugs were railed out. and three launches had to stand by, Ihe le Awhina wan sent out to the assistance of the scow Rangi, which was in distress off liakino Island, and the William C. Daldy was standing by at midnight waiting to swing the Shaw Savill motorvessel Taranaki. which experienced difficulties when she was leaving tor Opua. Carried up Harbour The Taranaki left Central Wharf about 9.15 and was carried up the harbour by the wind owing to her light draught, but her anchors held between the Bayswater wharf and the St. Mary's Bay tide deflector. As she was swinging close to the coal hulkfi, a wireless message was sent tor the tug to come out and swing her when the tide turned.

The Port Waiknto, at the inner berth on the cast side of King's Wharf, was humping heavily against the piles, luit the only damage was to her fenders. Launch Blown Ashore A :50ft. launch owned by Mr. E. T. JJrowne, of 17 Ascot Avenue, Narrow Neck, dragged her moorings at Devonport about 11 o'clock and went ashore on the rocks off Marine Parade. She was badly holed on one side and the heavy seas seemed likely to damage lier further during the night.

Ferry passengers had uncomfortable trips, especially on the run directly across the harbour to Stanley Bay. 1 he ferries were rolling badly and shipping seas. Some motorists declined to take their cars across the harbour on the vehicular ferry.