THE C. A. LARSEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3871, 22 May 1928, Page 29

THE C. A. LARSEN.

COMPLETION OF REPAIRS. ♦ GALE DELAYS SAILING. “A good job has been made of the repairs to my ship, and I qm welL satisfied with the way we have been treated by everybody." This was the statement made by Captain Nilsen, of the C. A. Larsen, at a little function on board the vessel on Sunday afternoon. The Stevenson and Cook Engineering Company had contracted to carry out the repairs to the vessel in 21 clays It did the work, it is pleasing to record, in 18 days. On Wednesday, Alay 2, at 8 a.m,, the contract was started, and by working the clock round, Sundays included, the repairs were completed at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Air H. G. L. Roy, Government senior surveyor of ships, and Air W. J. Crawford, Lloyd’s surveyor, gave the necessary certificates regarding the seaworthiness of the C. A. Larsen, and the preparations for her departure for Wellington to take in fuel oil were commenced, the first move being to let the water into the Otago Dock. It was expected that the vessel would be warped out of the dock by 2 o’clock, but. as the heavy south-west gale had not dropped much in force o' 1 ’ mid-day. it was decided that the risk of moving the ship was too great. After taking in fuel oil at Wellington, the C. A. Larsen will sail for the Tyne, where her builders, Alessrs Swan und Hunter, will carry’ out the permanent repairs. She will then sail for Sandefjord, to refit, and it is expected she will be back in Port Chalmers by the middle of November.

Alessrs Stevenson and Cook placed 2600 square feet of Jin sheathing on the ship and put on 290 square feet of permanent plating. During the afternoon Captain Nilsen and Air Varild, the chief enginer, were met by the directors of Alessrs Stevenson and Cook—Alessrs J. W. Scurr and J. G. Neil —and presentations were made to them.

Air Scurr, in presenting Captain Nilsen with a clock set in a greestone tiki, said that the tiki was an emblem amongst the Alaoris of good luck, and that the directors wished Captain Nilsen, Mr Varild, and the whaling company’ all good luck. The relations between them and the officers and crew of the vessel had been of the happiest. The speaker referred to the very loyal manner in which the staff of his firm had worked to get the vessel ready for sea again, and said it was really due to*the spirit of harmony which had permeated the staff in their work that they’ had been able to carry’ through the job with three days to spare. Air Neil said that the job had been the first big one undertaken by the new firm, and it had been put on its mettle. They could see for themselves that the firm had carried out the job expeditiously and in a thoroughly' satisfactory manner. The speaker also referred to the capable way in which the staff had gone about the job, and thanked Air Noy. Air Crawford, Captain Nilsen. Air Varild, and the chief officer, Mr Johansen, for the assistance they had given. The speaker humourously remarked that some of the big ship engineering works on the Clyde would have to look to their laurels, when they could carry out much fine work in Port Chalmers. Air Neil then presented Air Varild with a gift for Airs Varild. Air J. Knewstubb, manager of Alessrs Stevenson and Cook, said that the work had been carried through one hour short of the 18 days. His only regret was that they had not had the opportunity of showing what the firm could have done in the way of making permanent repairs to the vessel.

Air J. Cairney. foreman of the boiler department of Alessrs Stevenson and Cook, referred to the splendid co-ordina-tion of effort on the part of everyone in the firm to show what the Port Chalmers Engineering Company’ could do. Captain Nilsen replied in the terms above quoted, and Air Varild also brieflv returned thanks for the kind things said about him.

A large number of people visited Poi't Chalmers during the day. In the afternoon the West Harbour Brass Band, under Air Claude Davie, played in the Rotunda.

HARBOUR BOARD FUNCTION. A COURTEOUS “AU REVOIR.” / Captain Nilsen was entertained at afternoon tea by’ the members of the Harbour Board at Port Chalmers on Saturday. The chairman (Air J. AI‘C. Dickson, AI.P.) was accompanied by the majority of the members of the board and by the secretary’ (Air W. J. Bardsley) and the harbourmaster (Captain AlacLean). It was a very’ pleasant, although informal little function, the seaport courtesies to a visiting shipmate being conveyed in a very friendly spirit to Captain Nilsen, who was complimented on the fortunate termination of such a trying experience In proposing the health of the visitor, Air Dickson said that the board members had asked Captain Nilsen to meet them in order to express their best wishes for a happy termination of an adventurous voyage. Their concern, on hearing of the mishap at Paterson’s Inlet, was changed to admiration as they’ read of the practical manner in which he had dealt with a difficult situation-. When the accident occurred the vessel had arrived back from the Antarctic with a very large cargo of valuable whale oil. The usual risks had been successfully evaded, and the ice region, with its lurking dangers, left behind. Everything appeared to be favourable to a safe termination of a successful whaling season, when disaster unexpectedly overtook the ship on entering Paterson’s Inlet. But Captain Nilson had proved himself capable of responding to the call for the exercise of those qualities of seamanship which in the annals of the sea had taught us to respect sailors as men of action in times of emergency. He had worthily maintained the traditions by? dauntlessly tackling what seemed to

■be a hopeless situation and k'-igilg hia ship safely to Port Chalmers. It was a very, creditable performance, ax<d those present wished to express in some measure their appreciation of it. He deserved the greatest credit for the manner in which he had brought his damaged ship to this port. They hoped the voyage would be completed without further mishap. When he reached Europe, Captam Nilsen would be able to tell of tha facilities available in New Zealand for repairing vessels in distress. Air Dick) son said he hoped to have the pleasure o( welcoming Captain Nilsen back to th< 1 ort of Otago. He had won their esteem, ?? d ’ T ?. s , a * an B'ble token of their regard, Air Dickson asked him to accept a Alosgml travelling rug, and, with it, the best wishes of the Otago Harbour Board.-— (Applause.) Several members of the board also ex< pressed their appreciation of Captain xr en 4 aclll evement in.saving his vessel. Air H Al. Driver said that, as the country member of the board, he wished to express his admiration for Captain Nilsen. Mr ..,' H- Hayward, speaking as a citv councillor as well as a member of tha Harbour Board, wished Captain Nilsen a successful voyage home. T er Said I,e was delighted k th C ‘ A ’ Larsen to Port Chalmers. !'or the carrymg out of th e repairs ha Flowß, t 0 com P llmen t Captain Nilsen, Lloyds surveyors, and everybody conthe , w ° rk r- A Port Chalmera P r “. ‘ i . dem . ons t T l,at ed what could be done in that line in New Zealand, and it had surprised and pleased everybody. nrond A nd ? rson Baid he was naturally proud of the achievement of Port Chalmers. and he only regretted that the opportunity had not been afforded them of putting up a similar record in completing the permanent repairs. On behalf of thn 6X e i n o, >J’? rt oonSLuLS Captain Nilsen on his plucky navigation theff r be^' er?e i co ? ditions - and conveyed se,th5 e, the b 'S r :S“ " • ‘" PPy Captain Coll APDonald said he was nt Paterson s Inlet and saw how ably Capin Nilsen and his crew had dealt with an unfortunate accident which occurred through no fault of their own. It was a Privilege to meet such men. Mr D. Sharpe spoke on similar lines and expressed the hope that when the C A. Larsen returned here the dock would be permanently lengthened. them P for n Sen ‘ re thanked them for the present they had given him 7ml? th ® captain of a ship in and he could not have met better people heartPv Zea]and He neartily thanked them all for their kindness and assistance. SAILS FOR WELLINGTON. The C. A Larsen came cut of “lock j&k; „x. rday “•*