VESSEL AGROUND AT WHAKATANE HARBOUR MOUTH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 49, 26 May 1950, Page 4

VESSEL AGROUND AT WHAKATANE HARBOUR MOUTH

While entering the Whakatane Harbour early yesterday afternoon the Northern Steamship Company’s coastal vessel Toa ran aground on a sand bank on the northern side of the western channel. At present it is stuck hard and fast and last night lay aground on the sand. Despite heavy seas, which have since dropped, the vessel was not damaged and the master, Captain J. Appleton, was in constant contact with the harbour laiinchman, Mr W. W. Waugh, during the night. The Toa entered the harbour mouth by the eastern channel and while moving in this area jt was washed ashore. The bow went aground and efforts were made immediately to back off. This was unsuccessful and the boat remained fast.

The Whakatane Harbour Board’s launch was too small for the job and arrangements were immediately made for another of the Company’s vessels to proceed to the port. The Kapiti was expected to leave Tauranga this morning and is due at the port about midday. It is expected that efforts will be made to haul the Toa off at high • tide this afternoon.

This morning a sand bank had built up under the Toa during the night. However, this is not expected to delay operations. This morning the weather appeared to be clearing and the weather forecast was for continued imorovement.