DREDGE IN GALE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23129, 30 August 1938, Page 10

DREDGE IN GALE

PERILS OF THE f ASMAN

BUNKERS DEPLETED ■ .f>~ _ ARRIVAL AT WESTPORT NOT SHOWN ON CHART- . [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] "WESTPORT, Monday _ After being held up for three days near Cape Farewell by a fierce easterly gale, the dredge Kerimoana, which being delivered to the Wellington Harbour Board, called at Westport this evening to replenish its sadly-depleted bunkers. The dredge has had.- varied experiences since leaving Glasgow on - March 13 and took 11 days to reach Westport from Newcastle. "" _ With bunkers low, Captain A. Adamson had hopes of reaching Grevmouth, as Westport was not mentioned on the chart issued at Newcastle. It was only by chance that a seaman who had ' - previously visited Westport mentioned that this port was only six miles off Cape Fouhvind, an inaccessible point which was marked on the chart. Captain, officers and crew were thankful to sight land in New Zealand after the crossing, which they regarded as by far the roughest of the whole vovage.

Members of the crew when interviewed paid tributes to the seamanship of Captain Adamson and to the dredge, which they stated had proved an exceptionally seaworthy vessel. If she had not been so there were occasions when all would have been lost. The crew of 12 includes a New Zealander and an Australian. These men regarded the trip as a great experience, but were doubtful whether they would undertake it under similar circumstances again. Five changes in the crew were made during the voyage through men signing off owing to sickness or accident. The dredge will probably leave for Wellington on Wednesday.

STORMY VOYAGE , THE MISSION STEAMER HOVE-TO OFF COAST ARRIVAL OF SOUTHERN CROSS Rough weather was experienced by the Melanesian Mission steamer Southern Cross VII., which arrived at Auckland yesterday morning after a/run of nine days from • Vila, in the New Hebrides. The vessel left Tulagi, in the Solomon Islands group, a month, ago, and after undergoing her regular survey in Auckland will- leave for the toward the end of September. A strengthening south-easterly - wind accompanied the vessel on the run to Vanikora, in the Santa Cruz group, and continued until she reached Vila. After a brief spell of fine weather when she left Vila, the Southern Cross met a heavy north-easterly wind, which at times reached gale force. Heavy seas off the New Zealand coast on Saturday night slowed the. vessel ! down, and the gale increased to such force that she was hove-to for more than four hours. At one time the lower deck cabins and the galley were awash, but the vessel behaved well and no damage was caused. CAMPERS MAROONED SIGNALS OF DISTBESS PARTY ON QUAIL ISLAND RESCUE MADE AFTER DARK [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Heavy seas were running on the coast and in the harbour at Lyttelton to-day. At low tide seas were breaking right across the harbour near Church Bay and harbour launches were buffeted. The Awhina Nui, a passenger launch from Port Levy, was unable to make her usual trip to Lyttelton. Because of cancellation of the trip a party of campers were isolated on Quail Island. Thej* were rescued to-night after considerable excitement caused by signals of distress from the island. The party consisted of 10 boys, members of the Secondary School Union, and four officers. They had gone into camp on the previous Monday and were to have been taken off at 2 p.m. to-day by the Awhina Nui. About 5.45 p.m., just after dark, signals were made with a torch, » slowly sent S.O.S. being read tyf observers in Lyttelton.' Telephone calls from several sources were made to the Harbour Board authorities, and the harbourmaster, Captain J. Plowman, sent the Harbour Board launch Ruahine. The party was soon back at Lyttelton.