SHIPS IN TROUBLE

Southland Times, Issue 21581, 19 December 1931, Page 5

SHIPS IN TROUBLE

BREEZE RUNS ASHORE ASTRAY IN DENSE FOG STORM TOUCHES A REEF (Per United Pros© Association.) Christchurch, December 18. The Canterbury Steam Shipping Company’s steamer Breeze, under the command of Captain M. McArthur, with a crew of 16 who signed on at Wellington, was proceeding from Wellington to Lyttelton when she went ashore in the bay at Port Robinson during the night. The sea is calm. There was an exceptionally heavy fog along the coast throughout the night. The Postmaster at Cheviot reported at 9.5 a.m. that the Breeze had moved out of the bay, but could not be seen for fog. The tug Lyttelton will leave to assist the Breeze if its services are required. A later report states that the vessel anchored in Manuka Bay at 9.30, and was awaiting help. This bay is a mile south of Port Robinson, and the steamer is still believed to be close in to the shore, but cannot be seen owing to a dense fog. Messages, however, can be heard from her crew, who arc still aboard. A report at noon said that the Breeze was coming on to Lyttelton under the vessel’s own steam. An aeroplane has left Sockburn to go up the coast ami report what speed the Breeze is making, and if she is in need of assistance. In the meantime the tug’s despatch from Lyttelton has been delayed till 3 o'clock. Immediately after the vessel struck Captain McArthur made an examination of the vessel. The weather was dead calm, with a dense fog. Two anchors were put out astern, and as the tide was rising the ship was soon hedged off into deep water. So rapidly was the work carried out by the master and his crew that very few residents of the district saw the vessel while she was on the beach. As soon as the Breeze was afloat again she disappeared in the fog. The vessel actually struck the beach near the site of the old Port Robinson jetty. Her nose was in the bed of a small creek, which runs into the sea. Reports say she sustained little, or no, damage.

It is reported that the Storm, also owned by the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company, struck a reef near Akaroa early this morning. She arrived at Lyttelton in a leaking condition. The damage in this case is believed to be slight. Hie Breeze, which is owned by the Canterbury Shipping Company, the local agents of which are Messrs 11. L. Tapley and Company, was built in Holland in 1909 and registered in Lyttelton in 1910. Her gross register is 542 tons and she is 275 tons net. The vessel is 165 ft in length, 28ft wide and 111 ft deep and develops 84 h.p. The vessel is well known at Bluff, which is one of her regular ports of call, which extend from there to Wanganui. On her present run the vessel was due at Bluff on Monday from Lyttelton and it was anticipated that she would be carrying a quantity of Christmas goods. EXTENSIVE DAM AGE VESSEL’S NARROW ESCAPE. Christchurch, December 18. The Breeze was remarkably fortunate to get into Port Robinson at all. It was astonishing to get into the position where she grounded. She had to make a complete right angle turn from her course and the ship and her company were very fortunate to negotiate the comparatively narrow passage between the reefs which fringe the bay and then to ground on the only safe stretch of beach in the whole bay. It. was fortunate that there was a rising tide and the vessel was flouted off without kedging or any similar operation. Residents report that before 7 a.m. the sounding of a foghorn was heard, apparently being blown by a vessel coming from Wellington and crossing Gore Bay. Twenty minutes later the alarm was raised in a small settlement at the top of the 300 ft cliffs which surround the bay. The crashing of the vessel’s bow on the gravel of the beach and on the boulder sea bottom was clearly heard. Men scrambled down the cliff face and there saw the steamer 60 yards out, aground. The men of tho crew were reconnoitring the position in a dinghy. They asked the people on shore to communicate with the Canterbury Steamship Company, asking for urgent help. This was done, but the vessel got off and disappeared in the fog without further advice whether assistance was needed. With the pumps working at full pressure, the Breeze made good time to Lyttelton. The hull is extensively damaged along the port bilge. She will be docked for repairs.

The damage to the Storm is almost similar.