STEAMER LADY ROBERTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19762, 13 April 1926, Page 6

STEAMER LADY ROBERTS.

LONG TOW TO SUVA. The Government steamer Hinemoa returned to Auckland last week after having towed the small steamer Lady Roberts from Samoa to Suva, a distance of 650 miles. The Hinemoa sailed frorn Auckland on March 16, and called at Niue Island on March 21. After unloading cargo she resumed her voyage next day and reached Samoa on March 24 at 8 o’clock in the morning. The Lady Roberts, wh had been damaged on the reef during the recent hurricane at Samoa, was waiting at anchor, and after a strong tow-line of about 75ft was connected to the Hinemoa the two steamers left Apia at 5 o’clock the samp evening. Strong south-east trades and rough seas made the tow somewhat difficult, and at times the speed of the Hinemoa had to be decreased. The Lady Roberts had steam in her boilers, and with one undamaged propeller she was able to make a certain amount of headway and ease the strain on the tow-line, which was lengthened with 35ft of chain cable. Otherwise the trip was uneventful, and the Hinemoa reached Suva with her charge at 6 o'clock on the morning of March 25. having averaged a speed of about six knots. The Lady Roberts us to go on the slip on April 14 to have some damaged plates renewed and to be fitted with a new propeller. The Hinemoa loaded 3200 cases of oranges mandarins, and bananas at Suva, and sailed on April 1 for Auckland Fresh easterly winds and rough seas were experienced almost all the wav, and delayed her arrival by about 24 hours. She will be despatched with irenera! cargo for Niue Island and 2000 sleepers for Samoa.