MISHAP TO WHALER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16580, 22 February 1928, Page 11

MISHAP TO WHALER

—■— - VALUABLE' CARGO ABOARD VESSEL TO BE BEACHED (Per Press Association.' INVERCARGILL, this day. The C. A. Unison, 17,000 tons, mother ship of the Ross Sea whaling fleet, struck a rock at 6 o’clock Jast evening between Faro Island and tin* neck at the start of the island, while proceeding u]i Paterson's Inlet, to the base at Price’s Bay. Slip, is in command of Captain Nielson, and had just, returned from a three-months whaling expedition in the Ross Sea, carrying 80,000 barrels of , whale oil, estimated to be worth £500,000. I It, appears tliat- the steering gear has ' proved unsatisfactory for some time, and failed when off Faro Island last- night, a strong tide carrying the vessel inshore, where she touched a rock, tearing holes in Nos. 10, 11. and 12 tanks forwardThe ship began to make water immediately , and whistled up the whale chasers from the Sir James Clark Ross, 1 which had arrived the day previously, ! and were anchored up the inlet. Five j whale chasers responded at once to assist the- mother ship. Aided by the Larsen’s own five chasers, lines were got out, the 10 chasers swinging her round and towing her up the inlet stern first. Tiie Larsen had a heavy list, and filled rapidly, her 'bow.: being almost flush with the sea, and hei stem high out ot the water. Coming up the channel, she struck out. again from Faro Island .to Native Island. Four miles took about j four hours to tow the great ship. An accident disabled one of the whale chasers, and it had to he towed up to the base Fir repairs. Slow progress is being made up the inlet, where if is intended to beach the vessel. The tugs Southland and Theresa, Ward proceeded to the inlet this morning with salvage pumps.