MISHAP TO TIROA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17236, 16 April 1930, Page 5

MISHAP TO TIROA

TAIL SHAFT BROKEN BEING TOWED TO GISBORNE VESSEL IN NO DANGER Advice was received in Gisborne this morning to the effect that the small coastal steamer Tiroa, owned by the ■Gisborne Shcepfarmcrs ’ Frozen Meat and Mercantile Co, was in distress in the Bay of Plenty, having broken her tail shaft. The vessel is reported to be in no danger, however, and is being towed to Gisborne by Richardson and Co.’s steamer Pukcko. The mishap occurred yesterday afternoon', and five members of the crew put off in the ship’s surtboat tor assistance, eventually landing on White Island. The Tiroa is not equipped with wireless, but a shortwave station is operated on the island bv the engineer in charge, Air. Kennedy, and it is believed that the station sent out advice of the steamer s plight. The message was received by the s.s. Pukcko, and at S o’clock this morning she picked up the Tiroa 14 miles north of White Island, and took her in tow. It is reported that the sen is calm, and that there is no danger, and both vessels are expected 1o arrive at Gisborne to-morrow night. Repairs will be effected here. A Press Association telegram was received from Napier this morning to. the effect that advice had been received there that the five men who had put off in the lifeboat were missing, but- at 10 o'clock this morning news of their sale landing on White Island was receixed bv wireless from the island, via Auckland, and fears for the safety of the men were allayed The mishap is the second of the kind which has occurred recently to vessels owned by the company, the motor ship Margaret. W having sailed into Hicks Ray with a bitoken tail-shaft at the beginning of this month. The Tiroa was bound for Coast bays and Gisborne, with cargo from Auckland. She is a steamer of 206 net tons, and is commanded by Captain J. L. Lhven.