STEAMER IN DANGER

Waipa Post, Volume 36, Issue 2147, 21 April 1928, Page 4

STEAMER IN DANGER

BREAKAGE OF TOWLINE

(Bv Telegraph—Press Association); WANGANUI, Friday. •

The tug Terawhiti arrived here from Wellington this morning to tow the steamer Gale, which stripped her propeller while entering the -ort on Wednesdav, back to Wellington. A start was made with the tow, but the line parted when the vessel was only a few miles from Wanganui. Up to a late hour to-night the connection had not been re-established. The vessels were hugging the coast, and as the Gale's cargo was unloaded here the vessel was tossed about like a cork in the rough seas. A strong wind sprang up in the afternoon and huge seas were breaking all along the coast, causing grave fears for the safety of the helpless steamer. The Gale dropped anchor about a mile and a half off shore,:.and in the early evening it was stated that the seas ware going down and there was little danger. Later, however, other reports came to hand, and shortly before 11 p.m. the Wanganui Board's new salvage tug Kahanui was sent out in case assistance was required.