AUCKLAND'S HARBOUR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 8

AUCKLAND'S HARBOUR.

WAS THE MAHENO IN

TROUBLE ?

A REPORT AND A DENIAL. (By Telezraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, May 20. Tho "Herald" published the following this morning:—"Tho steamer Maheno, when leaving Auckland for Sydney last evening, went aground to the westward of tho Hobson Street Wharf. No assistanco was forthcoming, nnd after three-quarters of an hour the vessel dragged herself freo and proceeded on her voyage. Tlio Maheno left her berth at the inner western tee of tho Queen Street Wharf-at 11.15 p.m., but contrary to the usual practice, had not ft Iwwliiio out. The other western, tee, to which such a line is usually made fasf, being in process of demolition, the vessel manoeuvred at low speed, and was then swnn' r on her anchor. Off the eastern sida ot the Hobson Street Wharf the master backed the sitern of his vessel between the Northcote Ferry teo and tho steamer Maitai, tho latter vessel being berthed at the eastern side of the Hobson Street Wharf. The Maheno steamed ahead again slowly. By this time it was almost dead low water, and the vessel swinging slowly out to tho westward of tha Hobson Street Wharf struck the mud about five minutes before midnight. She drifted slowly in towards the wliarf, against which the 80-ton floating crane Mahua was moored, but just when it seemed almost inevitable that a collision would occur, she managed to steam ahead a little. Then she stuck again, and again moved back. The tide had by th'rn begun to riso,,and the nor'-wester which had sprung up violently while 'the Maheno was in difficulties, suddenly dropped. Finally, after"being in the mud for threequarters of an hour, the vessel was n.blo to steam ahead, and with the assistanco of the deeper water got clear into the fairway. She got properly away an hour and a naif after unberthing. It is about a year since tho Maheno into 'almost exactly similar difficulties in the same place, where 'the water is undredged. An extraordinary aspect of the occurrence was that from midnight onwards, although it was known to several people : that tho steamer was in uiiuculties, thero was not a single official or employee of either the Harbour Board or of the Union Company on the wharf to render assistance if necessary. Constable Baker, who was on duty in the locality, went round to the wharf to stand by. and ho and some representatives of tlie 'Herald,' who went . down on receipt of a telephone racJpage, | were the only persons available. The vessel j blew'her whistle just before midnight, a j little after sho touched bottom to the I westward of the wharf. The constable stated that as lie was going round he met a watchman who was customarily relieved at midnight, coming away from the Hobson Street Wharf, but no relief had arrived by 12.40 a.m. At one period the big steamer wa9 within -lOi't. or 50ft. of tho Harbour Board's big floating crane, and in her practically helpless state, with a strong wind blowing her towards the wharf, there was no small risk of her being driven against the crane. As a matter of fact, the appeal of those on board tlie steamer for someone to catch a heaving-line, so as to enable a useful purchase to be obtained from the wharf, necessitated the constable sliding down a wire-hawser on to the deck of the crane, and in the small party of onlookers, soaked with the violent rain, being pressed into service.

The Other Side of the Story. To-night the "Star" comes out with a counter-blast, as follows;—" Some difficulty was experienced last night in getting the Maheno out from her berth at the Queen Street Wharf when slio was about .to leave for Sydney,. There was, a. high northerly' wind blowing At the' time, and in order to get the right cant, Captain M'Lean let go the anchor. As a precaution he dispatched a message by Morse codo to the Harbour Board official in the tower at Queen Street Wharf, asking that the tug To Awhina should standby in case of emergencj'. Captain Sergeant (tho harbourmaster) was informed of the position by Captain Lockic, the night officer in charge, arid he at onco made all necessary arrangements. Tho fact that the Maheno was swinging at anchor gave some people the impression—a quite incorrect one—that she was aground, and although the tug was around in a surprisingly short time after the receipt of the message, tho Maheno had got clear of the wharf, and steamed down the harbour outward bound at 12.50 a.m. At the time the Maheno left the berth there were four Harbour Board officials on iluty, in addition to Captain Lockie, and Mr. Birch, of tho Union .Company's staff, had six men under his charge. The officials of tho Union Company have expressed thanks to the Harbour Board staff for the prompt manner in which tl'ey. dealt with the situation. The artingharbourmaster (Captain H. H. Sergeant), reporting to the Harbour Board at today's meeting, stated that a report m the morning press was entirely contrary to fact, and the allegations that the board's officials were not present were untrue.