SHIP STRANDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23865, 20 July 1939, Page 12

SHIP STRANDED

THE PORT BOWEN MISHAP AT WANGANUI TOWING ATTEMPTS FAIL OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE (Per United Press Association) WANGANUI, July 19. The Port Bowen grounded at 1 o’clock this morning about a quarter of a mile off the beach and a mile from the harbour entrance. Twice during the day efforts were made to tow the vessel off, but at midnight (high tide) she remained firm on the sandbank where she grounded. It is believed that she has suffered no damage.

The first attempt to tow the vessel off was made at high water at 11 o’clock, the attempt failing, despite the united efforts of the Wanganui Harbour Board’s tug Kahunui and the Anchor Company’s steamer Rata, combined with the stranded vessel’s own power. A slight southerly breeze sprang up but the sea remained calm and the weather was in favour of salvage operations. The eflorts of the Kahanui to refloat the stranded vessel before midnight were again unsuccessful. The tug commenced operations shortly after 9 o’clock and, although she was able to move the bows of the Port Bowen about eight feet, the vessel slipped back on to the sandbank, where she remained firm at high tide (midnight).

No Apparent Damage

The tug Terawhiti, from Wellington, then put in an appearance and she immediately commenced combined operations with the Kahanui in an effort to free the Port Bowen, which had been bumping slightly under the influence of a moderate swell. It was not thought, however, that the stranded vessel had suffered any damage. Late this afternoon four lighters were able to take off full loads of cargo from the vessel. The Port Bowen arrived in the roadstead about 1 o’clock this morning from Picton to load 20,000 carcasses of meat, and shortly afterwards grounded at low water. At the time the vessel came to rest on the beach, almost broadside on, with her bow pointing at a slight angle toward the shore, the sea was calm. Grounded While Turning

The vessel took a list to starboard, and the pilot station was communicated with immediately. The crew of the tug Kahanui was summoned, and within two hours steam was up and the tug standing by. The pilot launch Karero was also taken out.

The Port Bowen was in the act of turning when she grounded. The night was fairly clear looking seaward, but misty on the land. The vessel was held on the sandy beach by her bow, and when the tide started to make she was described as “ alive.”

The tug Kahanui, fully equipped with salvaging gear, was able to get close in to the stranded vessel, and made all preparations to lay kedge anchors should the wind spring up or the sea become rough.

Quantity of Cargo Unloaded

The Port Bowen, on arrival, was almost fully loaded, and was drawing 29ft. Most of the cargo is refrigerated, but there is a quantity of general cargo, and some of this was unloaded this afternoon so as to considerably lighten the vessel. The cargo is comprised of 1840 carcases of mutton, 8477 carcases of lamb, 72 tons of sundries, 400 boxes cf butter, 700 crates of cheese; for Newcastle, 10 tons of beef; for Southampton, 235 carcases of mutton, 18,750 carcases of lamb, 135 tons of sundries, and 150 crates of cheese.

The Port Bowen, which was built for the Commonwealth and Dominion Line (the Port Line) by Messrs Workman Clark and Company, Ltd., of Belfast, _ was launched in May, 1919, and is at present on her forty-fourth voyage i the company’s service. She is a twin-screw steamer of 8267 tons gross. She has visited Dunedin on numerous occasions.