MISHAP TO THE WOOTTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19259, 25 August 1924, Page 7

MISHAP TO THE WOOTTON.

PISTON ROD BREAKS. (Peb United Press Association.! WELLINGTON. August 23. The small coastal steamer Wootton, 141 tons, which loft Lyttelton at 6 p.m. on Thursday for Wellington, signalled the Maori that she had brtfken down. A wireless from the Maori notified that the vessel was seven miles off the Heads, and the tug Pelican was sent out to look for her. Slio picked her up- some time after midnight. The Pelican, with the Wootton in tow. arrived back af' the wharf _ just before 4 a,m after an uneventful trip. The chief engineer of the Wootton stated that tlier bad been no indication of engine trouble until 7.50 p.m. yesterday, when the main piston rod broke and smashed the cylinder cover. No one was injured, and steam was quickly shut off The sea was very smooth, and the Maori was able to come close up, and was signalled by the distressed vessel. The ferry steamer intimated that she would “wireless” to the tug owners in Wellington, and then proceeded on her way. Soon after midnight the tug came alongside, and took the Wootton in tow without incident. Luckily the wind was blowing off shore, and the sea was calm, otherwise there was a possibility that the vessel would have been driven on to the shore, with disastrous results. It is not anticipated that the breakdown will seriously affect the Wootton’s running in the service, as a new rod and cylinder cover can be obtained locally.