A DIFFICULT TOW

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10545, 23 March 1920, Page 5

A DIFFICULT TOW

BIG BARQUE CAUSES TROUBLE. Tho four-masted steel barque Mouongahela, whion left San Francisco on January 2iird for Wellington, arrived off the heads early on Sunday morning. The tugs Karaka and Pelican were dispatched to tow her in, but on coconut of tho northerly gale that prevailed. during iSunduy a iter noon, (it was found impossible ito bring the big eliip into a harbour anchorage. As the Monongahela. was just inside tho entrance to the heads and near the lower level light. Captain Dawson, the harbourmaster, decided to get tho assistance of the powerful Union Company’s tug Terawhiti. The Teravrhiti left the tug wharf at half-past 12 yesterday morning and was alongside tho big barque about on hour later with tho Pelican standing by. Tho gale was increasing in force, and -made the task of .securing tho, tow rope to tho ship a hard one. Captain Peterson, the Wellington Harbour Board pilot, who was on • the Monongahela., ordered the Terawhiti to turn and come alongside of the port bow. After great difficulty the tow rope was placed in position, and at 2 a.m., when a start was about to bo made to tow the barque in, tho pin holding the eye ot tho rope on tho Terawhiti pave way. An hour later tho end was picked up, but on account of the gale nothing further could ho done. ‘However, tbo line was again tixeJ. *»nd a *tan was made. Progress was very slow, and after going about a quarter of a wile, the. Terawhiti, with the tug Pelican also towing, oame to a dead stop. Tho attempt was given up, and- the Terawhiti returned at 9 a.m. As the weather has moderated since yesterday, tho. Monongahela, which has 30,000 cases of oil and 700 tons of general cargo, will be brought in. today. ____________