FERRY STEAMERS HAVE ROUGH TRIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18452, 1 May 1928, Page 4

FERRY STEAMERS HAVE ROUGH TRIP.

PONTOONS SINK IN WELLINGTON HARBOUR. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, May 1. A concrete mixer pontoon and the pile-driver pontoon both went down last night tied together. They are in use in the construction of a wharf along the new seawall at the Thorndon reclamation. A diver went down this morning and says that the pontoons can be raised without any trouble. The harbourmaster and chief pilot both declare that last night’s seas were the worst in their experience or to their knowledge in the port of Wellington. The strong north-east gale delayed the ferry steamer Maori nearly three hours on the trip from Lyttelton. She left there at the usual time, but as soon as she cleared the Heads, she ran into the gale, which increased in force as the journey northward progressed. A radio message was received by the master of the Maori from the Wahine soon after the latter left Wellington advising Maori of the gale then in force. No damage was caused on the Maori, though it was an anxious time for all concerned. The Arahura, from Nelson, also felt the force of the gale on clearing the South Island, and the steamer received a bad tossing, but made the crossing without any untoward happening.