A CLOSE CALL
SHIP PORT WAIKATO JUST CLEARED REEFS P.A. WELLINGTON, May 16. The crippled ship Port Waikato, towed by- tne Kamo, arrived at Wellington to-night from the Chatham Islands. Captain C. A. Keith, the master of the Port Waikato, describing the first hours of the disablement, said that the ship's engines were stopped with a wire around the screw at 5.30 on Wednesday morning, at a position 30 miles west of the Chathams and in pitch darkness. A full gale was blowing. Captain Keith added that every way af clearing the screw was tried without success. With heavy seas running, the ship’s stern was high out of the water one moment, then under water the next. He said that they tried putting a -man over the side, but it was useless. The situation looked bad, but their feelings were greatly relieved once they had rigged a jury, sail. The ship made just enough headway to clear the reefs.
Mr J. R. Kennedy, who is in charge of Public Works construction in the Chatham Islands, praised the seamanship of the captain. The sight of the trawler Manuka was a great relief, to the passengers, who, however, took things well. Forty sheep died on the voyage.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 26773, 17 May 1948, Page 4
Word Count
205A CLOSE CALL Otago Daily Times, Issue 26773, 17 May 1948, Page 4
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