THE HIMITANGI.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15420, 4 April 1912, Page 4

THE HIMITANGI.

ItETUIIXS TO WELLINGTON. (Per Ijnit::d I'urfs Association-.) WELLINGTON. April 3. The Chatham islands Fishing Company'* steamer Himitangi. which was ashore near Waitingi, Chatham Islands, arrived this morning. The Himitangi went ashore at almtrt 5 a.m. 011 February 11, in IMre I 'ay, about 2J miles from Waitangi, the port. She arrived at 2 a.m. on that day, but dragged l'<T anchrjre (lurisiy the night, and went up on to the hard sand, l'ctro l>ay. in westerly gales, is a had place to lie in, on account of the heavy seas tliat rail into it, but fortunately the weather was fair to moderate all the time, although tho tides were bad. When the Himitangi arrived at I'etre Hay she had a full car;;o of (isli. which liatl lo ho thrown overboard. All efforts to get her off under her own steam nrvl appliances failing, an attempt was made by the llcTtie to tow her off, but this did not answer.

When the Himitangi arrived to-day iii tow of the Gertie and also under her own steam, Captain J. C. Cowan, her master, was seen by a representative of tho l'osi, but for a moment he declined to make any statement in connection with the stranding. " The ship is all right " was the utmost ho would say.

She was got off at 1 p.m. on Thursday last, and left at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday for Wellington. Fine weather, with light north-west winds .was experienced all the way. The Himitaugi brings no fish.

Mt Walker, Lloyds surveyor, who recently succeeded Captain Bendall, came up by tho Himitangi. Ho had been down to direct th.o wiving of the vessel, which is worth between £7000 and £8000. and is insured for £5000. Irom Mr Walker it was learned that the usual luff tacklo was usnd in getting the ship off. Anchors were put out at about 1000 ft off show, and the Himitangi hauled on to the tackle with her own winches. The Gertie assisted, and when the Himitangi was ready for sea took her in tow. A slight leak was discovered in the Himitangi before leaving Waitangi, but this was speedily rectified, lwing easy to get at from the.outride. Her rudder was also slightlv damaged. The. Himitangi will go on'to the patent slip for sighting and repairs and a general overhaul.