SAFE IN HARBOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 5

SAFE IN HARBOUR

RONA REFLOATED POUNDS HEAVILY ON UNCHARTED ROCK. HULL WITHSTANDS SHOCK. CEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, June 29. The Rona was hauled off Flat Rook at 7.55 o’clock this morning by the tugs T© Awhina and Lyttelton, assisted with her own engines going full ©peed astern. The Rona, which several times pounded her forepart heavily on its ugly bed, turned her stern eastward, and then came moments of fearful anxiety. Between two and three hundred feet to the north-east of Flat Rook the Rona rose to a fairly heavy swell and then pounded down with a terrific thump on to -an uncharted rock. This wa,s apparently under tho bridge and the No. 2 hold. There were half a dozen heavy bumps in succession, hut tho Rona continued to back off and swing her stern to port. The vessel then rolled heavily into deep water and floated calmly upright. PERIOD OF SUSPENSE. There was a period of fearful suspense untii the wells had. been sounded, and when it had been ascertained that the fresh -grinding had not penetrated the bottom tho tugs cast off their hawsers and the steamer set her course for Auckland. She moved slowly up the Gulf with the last of the inward tide. Fresh soundings were taken every few minutes, hut the vessel made no further water. LUCK WITH VESSEL. Luck was with the Rona. “Had that last grounding penetrated her bottom under No. 2 hold,” said Captain Hood, “it would have heen all up with the Rona, or rather all down, for nothing could then have saved her.” Captain Hood added that this rook was a distinot danger to shipping. The chart here showed eighteen fathoms of water, and the danger seemed apparent as the ship was already logged by 2000 tons of water in her forehold. There was a freshening breeze and a rising sea at the time, and any further penetration of the ship’s hull must have heen fatal. The Rona reached harbour about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and was berthed at Qhedsea to discharge her cargo. The vessel will he docked later.