STORM IN HARBOUR

Southland Times, Issue 21636, 23 February 1932, Page 6

STORM IN HARBOUR

.WORST FOR YEARS ’ BOATS DAMAGED AT LYTTELTON WHARF OUT OF PLUMB (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, February 22. A heavy storm in the harbour, stated to be the worst experienced for years, caused damage at Lyttelton to-day. All the vessels in port were tossed about and the large tanker Voco, loaded with motor spirit, was compelled to put to sea. .Vessels in tho inner harbour laboured heavily at their moorings and the Voco began to get out of control. She bumped heavily against the wharf. Tops of mooring piles were broken off and the large piles on shore were shaken from their concrete bedding. The whole wharf was pushed eighteen inches out of plumb. A tug was moved from the wharf and taken out into the stream and later, as a big sea was running in the harbour, the Voco put out to sea. The Kartigi, a Union Company’s cargo steamer, was severely bumped for some hours and finally put out into the stream. The vessel was found to be leaking and will be docked to-morrow morning. Smaller vessels had a trying time and launches broke from their moorings. For an hour after high tide, big seas broke over Gladstone Pier and damage was done to the railway lines. A concrete boat slip at Diamond harbour was washed away and a number of dinghies carried out to sea. The storm which follows heavy south-east weather is abating and the harbour will be worked as usual to-morrow'.