DISABLED BARQUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23063, 14 June 1938, Page 8

DISABLED BARQUE

TOW TO PORT DELAYED ROUGHNESS OF WEATHER TUG VISITS THE PENANG NO MENTION OF CASUALTIES [by telegraph—own correspondent] DUNEDIN, Monday Dawn had not broken this morning when the tug Dunedirt, commanded by Captain F. G. MaeDonald, steamed out to where the Penanc is riding at anchor. A high southerly wind and heavy sea precluded apy possibility of bringing her into harbour, and after an exchange of signals the tug returned to port to await better weather. It was ascertained that the vessel was in no danger and that all op. board were well.

Fierce squalls which lashed the city and coast throughout the night must have given the crew of the Penang an uncomfortable time, but when the tug reached her about 7.30 a.m. all appeared to bo well. She had two anchors out, one at 70 fathoms and another at 30 fathoms, and the wreckage of the upper part of the main topmast and topgallant mast had been lashed to the side.

Exchange of Signals

Although the tug approached to within 10ft. of the disabled barque it was found impossible, owing to the strength of the wind, to speak to the crew, so that signals had to be resorted to. As this was of necessity a slow process the conversation had to be limited to essentials. The first request made _by the master of tho Penang, Captain K. V. Karlsson, was that the Harbour Board should telegraph his owners in code explaining that the ship had arrived at Otago Harbour for repairs. Her topmasts were broken, but the yards were

Captain Mac Donald signalled that he would take the barque in tow when the weather moderated, and to this Captain Karlsson made a brief but effective reply, "Good." Everything in Order Captain Mac Donald sailed round the vessel, on which all sail was furled, and stated later that apart from the damage to the mast everything seemed to be in order. He was amused to notice that during the signalling one of the women on board, presumably either Miss Dorothy Laird, of Arran, Scotland, or Miss Catherine Bridger, of Wallasey, who were round-trip passengers when the ship was at Auckland some time ago, was engaged in rolling up the flags. The master, in his signals, made no mention of any casualties, so it is assumed that none of the crew was injured when the mishap occurred. $

Long Repair Job

The tug's next trip to the vessel will be made at six o'clock to-morrow morning, when the tow will be undertaken if the weather has moderated sufficiently. It is estimated that the condition of the mainmast and the rigging of the barque will necessitate at least a week's work in disentangling alone and, as there will no doubt be otter repairs to be made, it seems likely that the barque will be in port for at least the better part of a fortnight. This should be sufficient time to satisfy the curiosity of all those who will no doubt be eager to see the ship, which may easily be the last of its type to enter Otago Harbour.