THE WHANGAPE'S MISHAP.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 21, 18 November 1908, Page 28

THE WHANGAPE'S MISHAP.

i:epaii:in<; a bkokex tailshaft VI SEA. It h hard for the landsmen to realist* what it means when 'he reads that after main difficulties the engineering staff of -nine steamer, w hieh has had the misfortune to break her tail-shaft miles from land, “effected temporaries, and got the vessel under her own steam again.” Ihr hours and hours of hard work this simple statement, means appeal to the man who knows. The aevompanyiug photographs of the accident, which recent l\ bclef the I nion Company's Whangape. will give the reader a very good idea of the task the <m?ineers accom-pli-hoi in the face of difficulties, which would easily daunt men of less resolute* natuic. It will lie remembered that the steamer, on her last trip from West port to Suva. Fiji, broke her propeller shaft, when about Ilia miles from her destination. Captain Clirisp immediately despatched a boat in charge of Mr I*. »1.

Reeves, the second officer, to convey tha news of the accident to Suva, which was so comparatively close that it might readily have been expected assistance would reach the crippled vessel. But, as matters turned out, the Whangape had a long drift before she was taken in tow. After the boat had been sent away, Chief-Engineer Swann and his staff set to work to effect temporary repairs. Having located the break in the shaft as being close up to the inner side of the stern post, they were faced by a great difficulty in applying the patent coupling used for such mishaps. The laborious task of breaking out seven feet of the heavy stern-tube necessitated drilling 150 holes through two inches of cast-iron. The cramped position and the water continually coming in on them, made the job a hard one, requiring great patience. A considerable amount of framing work had to be cut away, and a portion of the inner gunmetal bush through which the shaft runs, had to be drilled through and cut away, as also had the brass liner on the shaft itself. The propeller was then drawn up tightly by means of ropes and winches, until the fractured shaft ends were brought together, and over the break was placed the patent coupling. The men worked sixteen hours a day, and it took ten days before the vessel was under her own steam again. In the meantime the boat despatched by Capt. C'hrisp reached Suva, and the Union Company had several steamers out in search. The Atua eventually found her, took her in tow, and reached Suva. At Suva the vessel was tipped sufficiently to allow of the broken shaft being taken out and a spare one fitted. On her arrival in Auckland a new stern tube and bush was made, weighing upwards of 3| tons by Messrs. G. Fraser and Sons Ltd., The highest credit is due to Chief-En-gineer Swann and his staff for facing such a stupendous task, and the success attained reflects great praise on the skill and pluck of all concerned.