MATOPPO REFLOATED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18730, 7 December 1922, Page 9

MATOPPO REFLOATED

BERTHS AT PORT CHALMERS. Early yesterday morning an unsuccessful attempt was made to refloat 'lie I'.llerni.m and lincknall Lino steamer Matoppo.. for Melbourne, which grounded just off Ravenshoiirno while steaming down the A icloria Channel on her way to the open sea on Tuesday evening. After the vessel had been considerably lightened, the tug Dunedin and the Harbour Board's dredge renewed their efforts, and, aided by a good tide, the Matoppo swung off into the channel, the tug towing her to Port Chalmers, where she berthed at 5.35 p.m. The vessel, which was under the charge of Captain Duncan, the Otago Harbour Board’s senior pilot, was drawing 17ft llin aft and 15ft 6in forward when she took a sudden sheer to the shore side of the channel, and. before she could be straightened up, ran into shallow water, the fore part of fhe steamer being held fast on a lodge of sand as far as the No. 2 hatch. At that particular point in the channel there was 25ft 6in of water for a width of ItOft, so that there was nearly Bft of water under file after part of the vessel before the mishap occurred.

The harbourmaster (Captain J. E. MT.ean) remained on the scene 1 practically all Tuesday night and directed the attempts to refloat the vessel yesterday. The tug came up to town yesterday morning and, after embarking about 30 waterside workers, left about 9 a.in. with Ihe steamer Kotare in tow. The Kotare was made fast to (he forward part of the Matoppo, and the work of lightening the ship was commenced. A lighter Was also taken alongside to receive a portion of the cargo. About 4000 cases of benzine were discharged and a quantity of iron pipes from the No. 1 hatch, amounting .to 150 tons. The steamer's forward ballast tanks were emptied of about £OO gallons. and the after ones filled, with the object. of lightening the forward parr of the ship as much as possible. Between 4 and 5 p.m. the efforts to get the vessel off were renewed, and about 4.50 p.m. she swung off before the tow-lines to the tug were tank, the dredge proving a good hauler. Tbo slrpng south-weak wind which blew on Tuesday night tended to force the Matoppo further ,',n the bank, but when it veered to the portK-'cast yesterday it assisted (lie efforts to refloat Ihe vessel. Eortunately the steamer made no water, and, as far os is known at present, has suffered no damage. She was (owed to Tort Chalmers by tho fug. the Harbour Board’s small steamer Otakon lowing the Kotare down to Port. Title cargo the Kotare will be rc-shippcd to the Matoppo. and tilt: work will probably be commenced this morning. Mr Hi C. Campbell '(chairman of the Otago * Harbour Board), hoarded th<P Mafqppo at 1.15 a.m. yesterday, and remained on the scene for some hours. He informed a Times reporter that he could not sav liow the'mishap occurred, and,. in justice to the pilot and all concerned, it was only right that no statement should be made fill after an inquiry hid been held. Mr Campbell paid ,n tribute to the work of , the Harbour Board employees, from the highest, to the lowest,- and said that they worked ‘has lljough tile vessel belonged to them.” Owing to the mishap in the channel, the Kahika, which was ready to sail on Tuesday evening for Oiunaru, and the Wuihenio, which was to leave at 3 a.m. yesterday for Timaru and Sydney, could not get away, but both vessels sailed yesterday evening. The Holmdale, from Wellington, which arrived at Port Chalmers yesterday morning, was also delayed, and did not berth at Dunedin till 8.50 p.m-. The Wingatui and the Waipori will come up to town this morning.