HAURAKI RUNS AGROUNO

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1934, Page 4

HAURAKI RUNS AGROUNO

MISHAP IN FOG AT AUCKLAND VESSEL HARD AND FAST ON REEF. EXCITING MOMENTS FOR OFFICERS NOISE OF BREAKING SURF HEARD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. In an effort to nose her way into port through a fog the Union Company’s Hau'raki, commanded by Captain Harris, went ashore near Tararata Point, between Murray’s Bay and Brown’s Bay. The vessel grounded at 3.15 p.m., after the noise of breakers heard caused the engines to be put full speed astern. At eight o’clock the Hauraki was still hard and fast, although she -was apparently undamaged. Efforts were to be made to lighten her and refloat her at high tide about three o’clock in the morning. The Hauraki was bound for Auckland from Pacific Coast Canadian and American ports. She encountered a fog early in the morning as she proceeded up the Hauraki Gulf. The fog became thicker, and finally at about 10.30 a.m. she dropped anchor in deep water. The fog had closed round her in an impenetrable wall, with visibility practically at a minimum.

At about two o’clock word was re* ceived from the Mount Victoria signal station that the fog was lifting, and Captain Harris decided to take his ship to the pilot anchorage to pick up the pilot, who had been waiting there since 9.45 a.m. He had previously notified the Auckland Harbour Board that he had anchored owing to the fog. Slowly and carefully the Hauraki nosed forward. Visibility was still far from good and the officers and men were peering into the grey-green clouds when suddenly came the muffled but unmistakable sound of breaking surf. “Things moved quickly then," one of the officers said. “The noise of the surf was deadened to some extent by the fog, but we knew seconds were precious. The order was rung down to the engine room for ‘hard astern,’ but hardly had the ship begun to vibrate to the reversing of the screws when we felt her ground. “There was no sudden jarring shock. The bow just seemed to graze over a smooth surface, while the propellers churned astern. Then we came to rest hard and fast amidships. The engines were kept going hard astern in an effort, to take the ship off the bottom, it was of no use."' It was just after full tide when the Hauraki grounded. She was then four miles outside the harbour limits. A wireless message was sent to the signal station, but the fog was so that her position :ould only be given as “north of Milford.” The tug Te Awhina had been waiting for the vessel’s arrival. She was immediately despatched to the aid of the stranded ship and is now standing by.

The Hauraki, a motor-ship of 7113 tons, two years ago suffered damage at the port of New Plymouth when she struck a rock on the sea floor and buckled several plates. After discharging she proceeded to Wellington, where repairs were effected at considerable cost.