COASTAL VESSEL AGROUND

Chronicle (Levin), 28 August 1946, Page 5

COASTAL VESSEL AGROUND

-Press Association

Bv Telearavh—

WANGANUI, August 27. When coming up tlie river channel to tlie Town Wharf yesterday from Castlecliff, with a full load of general cargo, the coastal vessel Holmdale went aground in the Wanganui River near the break in the Bouth Bpit which occurreil when heavy seas developed last week. Efforts to retloat the vessel yesterday were unsuceessful, and a further attempt is to be made at higli tide tius morning. The Holmdale is not considered to be in any danger. She has on board 850 tons of general carg-o from Dunedin. and Oamaru, some of it. draught 8outh Island beer, which is badly wanted by local licensed hotels, more particularly because there is a large iuflux ot visitors for the Rugby match loniorrow between Australia and the Coinbined Wanganui-Mauawatu side. It was thought that the Holmdale could be r-efloated last night at hign tide, round about 10.16 p.ni., but even with the assistance of two Harbour Board launches she could not be tnovea. Hopes are liigher regardlng her this morning, when higli tide is expectea about 10.59 p.m. Tides are on tlie make towards spring levels. The. vessel is lying well clear of the break in the South Hpit, and it. is not known whether the sea encroac.hing 011 the river channel through the .South Beach has -been the cause of tlie grounding. It is thought that before atJeinpls to block the gap were made a quantity of silt may have been forced into the channel from the sea, but this reniains to be seen. The motor vessel Gale, coming upriver with a full cargo from Timaru recently, is reported to have toucheu bottom- near the spit, but she did not go aground.