AUCKLAND HARBOUR MISHAP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 189, 12 August 1938, Page 8

AUCKLAND HARBOUR MISHAP

TUG TE AWHINA SUNK EXAMINATION BY DIVER [Per Piets Aasodalloc. ] AUCKLAND. Aug. 11. Beyond dredging the harbour bed around the sunken tug to facilitate subsequent operations, no attempt to salvage the Te Awhina was made today. Plans for raising the vessel are not yet definite and although a preliminary examination of the hull was made to-day by a diver, the extent of the damage has not been ascertained. Harbour Board officials visited the scene of the foundering early in the morning and an attempt to survey the damage was made by a diver. He found the tug well settled on a muddy bottom and a dredge was set to work to lay the hull open for inspection. When this is completed it is probable that a scow will be laid on either side and a number of lines passed underneath the tug to assist in raising her after the hole has been temporarily patched. No apparent damage was caused the Essex but an investigation of the starnoard propeller was carried out by a diver. It was found that four blades of the screw were slightly chipped, but no cracks were visible in the metal and the fastenings were intact. This is only regarded as minor damage, and as the seaworthiness of the ship is not affected it was stated that she would follow her schedule and leave next Tuesday for Southampton and London after completing loading at Auckland. A preliminary inquiry into the sinking of the Te Awhina is being undertaken by the Superintendent of Marine at Auckland, Captain Wilcox. He stated that his report would be forwarded to the Marine Department at Wellington and the Minister of Marine (Hon. P. Fraser) would decide whether a magisterial inquiry was necessary. The Te Awhina, which is of a twin screw type, is of 220 tons gross. She was built in 1908 at Paisley. An earlier message appears on page 10.