SMALL MOTORSHIP DAMAGED

Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 8

SMALL MOTORSHIP DAMAGED

VESSEL ENTERS PORT IN LEAKING CONDITION

(United Press Association)

GREYMOUTH, May 13

The wooden motor-ship Gael, of 45 tons, while entering port this morning from Jackson’s Bay, struck the tiphead, badly damaging the bow and springing the planks. The vessel reached the wharf leaking seriously. Captain Tregidga stated: “Although ‘bar dangerous’ signals were hoisted it was considered that there was not too much sea for the vessel which often made port under worse conditions. It was believed the signals referred to larger vessels which had been in the roadstead several days, and as has happened previously my approach from the south had not been noticed by the signalman. Unfortunately a big sea caught the stern of the Gael, which because of her unloaded condition, was difficult to handle.” The vessel is being beached on the Cobden slip this afternoon. Meantime it is operating with a crew of seven. There are four passengers aboard. The Gael was built at Glasgow in 1903. She was formerly owned by the Northern Shipping Company and was purchased by the South Westland Company in 1928. She was converted to diesel in 1930.