VESSEL SAFE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26771, 14 May 1948, Page 4

VESSEL SAFE

THE PORT WAIKATO WEATHER IMPROVES TOW TO WELLINGTON ARRANGED P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. “In fine weather’ and away from danger,” was a message received from the Port Waikato this afternoon by the Lyttelton agent for the vessel. The message added that the Kamo, which is to take her in tow, was expected to meet the Port Waikato at 7 o’clock tomorrow morning. Drifting at one knot and a-half with steel hawser round her propeller boss, the Port Waikato is now about 50 miles to the north-west of the Chatham Islands, according to a radio message received to-day from the master. Captain C. A. Keith, by the owners, Holm and Co.. Ltd., of Wellington. The vessel is well clear of the islands and there has been a vast improvement in the weather since she was first disabled. The Wellington trawler Manuka is still standing by the Port Waikato, and the Union Steam Ship Company’s motor ship Kamo left Lyttelton to assist her on Wednesday afternoon. When the Kamo has put her steel towing hawser aboard, she will tow the Port Waikato to Wellington and there the vessel will be placed on the patent slip at Evan’s Bay so that the extent of the damage can be ascertained. „ TT , Captain S. Holm, manager of Holm and Co., said to-day that the distance to Wellington was approximately 410 miles, and if the weather did not deteriorate. the tow would take between 50 and 70 hours. The Port Waikato, which left the Chatham Islands at 5 p.m. on Tuesday on her last voyage until the. spring, carries a crew of 16 besides her 12 passengers, including six Public Works Department men who are returning from working at the Chatham Islands.