MISHAP TO WAIPAHI

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22717, 1 November 1935, Page 10

MISHAP TO WAIPAHI

VESSEL TOUCHES ROCK COURSE AFFECTED BY CURRENTS (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 31. Considerable damage was done last night to the Union Company's Waipahi when she touched a rock off Pencarrow Head when outward bound for Auckland. The visibility was very poor, and some difficulty was experienced in picking up the Deacons after she left the wharf at 11 p.m. The position was checked at the front beacon, but, although Steeple Rock beacon was visible, it was impossible to tell how far off the ship it was. The vessel did not appear to be' out of her course. The course was set south as usual to take the vessel clear of the rocks about Pencarrow. The low level light was seen at times, but it was difficult to estimate the exact position of the ship. When abreast of the light she struck some object and commenced to make water. Only one blow was felt, and the vessel did not hang on. She was immediately turned back into port, and tied up at the Taranaki street wharf. The damage is confined to the port side by the engine room, but unti 1 a full inspection is made after docking it is impossible to say how great it is. She remained at the wharf all morning with her pumps going, discharging her oil into a barge. The theory has been advanced that the vessel was set out of position by currents set up by the amount of flood water in the harbour. One of the crew says the night was the dirtiest he had experienced for years, and the fog was so thick that it was impossible to see for more than a few yards ahead. The Waipahi is an tfil-burner, of 1783 tons, built in 192?. Captain J. E. Warwick is her master, with Mr W. J. Freeman first officer, Mr H. H. Pike second, and Mr ,B. H. Young third. DAMAGE FAIRLY EXTENSIVE When the vessel was placed on the floating dock this afternoon it was found that the damage was far more extensive than was originally thought. From well forward on the starboard bow the damage extended in patches right aft over the bottom plates and frames snd on both sides of the hull. The appearance indicated that the vessel had scraped over a reef, though only one bump had been felt. On the starboard bow a plate was badly bent, and rivets started or shorn off, and the water was spraying out in a dozen small jets. The main damage, however, was amidships on the port side, where about 15 feet of rolling chock had been crumpled and in places torn away from the hull, while several plates were badly crumpled. The remainder of the rolling chock aft was bent in places and in at least a dozen other places the bottom plates had been slightly set up and paint scraped away. It is understood that temporary repairs will be effected and the vessel will come out of dock to-morrow to discharge the remainder of her cargo and oil fuel. She will then be docked again for permanent repairs.