THE HIMITANGI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 10

THE HIMITANGI.

RETURNS TO WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, April 3. The Chatham Islands Fishing Company's steamer Himitangi, which was ashore near Waitangi, Chatham Islands, arrived this morning. The Himitangi went ashore at about 5 a.m. on February 11, in Petre Bay, about 2£ miles from Waitangi, the port. She arrived at 2 a.m. on that day, but dragged her anchors during the 'night, and went up on to the "hard sand. Petre Bay, in westerly gales, is a bad place to lie in, on account of the heavy seas that 101 l into it, but fortunately the weather was fair to moderate all the time, although the tides were bad. When the Himitangi arrived at Petre Bay she had a full cargo of fish, which had to be thrown overboard. All efforts to get her off under her own steam and appliances failing, an attempt was made hy the Gertie to tow her off, but this did not answer. When the Himitangi arrived to-day in tow of the Gertie and also nnder her own steam, Captain J. C. Cowan, her master, was seen by a representative of the Pos.fc, but for a moment he declined to make any statement in connection with the stranding. • " The ship is all right " was the utmost he would say. She was got off at 1 p.m. on Thursday last, and left at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday for Wellington. Fine weather, with light north-west winds ,was experienced all the way. The Himitangi brings no fish. Mr Walker, Lloyds surveyor, who recently succeeded Captain Bendall, came up by the Himitangi. He had been clown to direct the salving of the vessel, which is worth between £7OOO and £BOOO, and is insured for £SOOO. From Mr Walker it was learned that the usual luff tackle was used in getting the ship off. Anchors were put out at about 1000 ft off shore, and the Himitangi hauled on to the tackle with her own winches. The Gertie assisted, and when the Himitangi was ready for sea took her in tow. A slight leak was discovered in the Himitangi before leaving Waitangi, but this was speedilv rectified, being easy to get at from the'outside. Her rudder was also slightly damaged. The Himitangi will go on to the patent slip for sighting and repairs and a generai overhaul.