LONG TOW ENDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26904, 16 October 1948, Page 8

LONG TOW ENDED

PALANA AND FERNMOOR BERTH

FEAT OF SEAMANSHIP P.A. AUCKLAND, Oct. 15.

Carrying at the peak of her foremast weathervane a model tug to serve as a permanent memento of her feat, the P. and O. Line motor ship Palana arrived outside the Auckland port limits this morning with the disabled British freighter Fernmoor in tow, having covered 2300 miles from the Eastern Pacific in 23 days. The Palana cast off tow outside Kangitoto and handed her charge over to waiting tugs. The Palana berthed to take in. oil fuel, water, and stoi’es and to have her engines checked. She should sail for London on Monday. Engineers began repairs on board the Fernmoor soon after she berthed at the western wharf. It is not yet known when the freighter will resume her voyage. As the towing cable was unshackled, the master of the Fernmoor, Captain F. B. Lamb, sent a message of thanks

to Captain F. R. Spurr, of the Palana, making a happy play on words “Thank you. Sir Francis,” said the message. “You have won your spurs and are worthy of them.” “Do you require my assistance any further? ’’ asked Captain Spurr. “If not, I hope to meet you shortly under more happy circumstances. Best wisjues and good luck.” “Thank you for everything you have done,” replied Captain Lamb, who added that ne did not require further assistance. “We are very thankful to be here,” said Captain Spurr in an interview when his sleek 11,000-ton command had been made fast at the wharf and her telegraph bells had rung a triumphant and sustained “ Finished with engines.” Bluff and sturdy and wearing a monocle to assist him in reading, Captain Spurr frankly admitted he was tired after the strain of the long tow. He said he had not had an uninterrupted night's sleep since the Palana made her rendezvous with the Fernmoor on September 21.