M.V. TOA DELAYED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 53, 19 March 1946, Page 5

M.V. TOA DELAYED

SHALLOW DRAUGHT AT HEADS TWELVE HOURS ON BAR Rough weather experienced shortly after leaving Auckland, and the extreme shallowness of the Whakatane bar, caused .through neap tides and the comparatively low level of water in the river, combined to make the Northern Company’s motor vessel Toa a week late on her run from Auckland to Whakatane.

Leaving Auckland last Saturday week, she was due here some twenty four hours later, but was forced to shelter in Tryphena Bay, Great Barrier, until Tuesday afternoon. She came as far as Tauranga, where she was forced in again, leaving there early last Thursday morning. The boat was standing off Whakatane on Thursday evening. An attempt was made to bring it over the bar, but this was unsuccessful, and she was forced to wait outside the harbour for another 24 hours. On Friday evening, a second attempt was made. Once again, however, the water was found to be too shallow, and whilst endeavouring to enter the harbour she became stuck firmly. All efforts to move her proved unsuccessful, and she was forced to wait some 12 hours in that position, held straight by lines run out to the r®cks on either side, till the tide floated her off.

She was worked during the weekend, and sailed again on Sunday evening.