MISHAP TO S.S. PUTIKI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1842, 30 August 1913, Page 5

MISHAP TO S.S. PUTIKI.

—— •. STRENUOUS TIME OFF LYALL BAY A breakdown.in tho engine-room of the s.s. Putiki compelled the little vessel to return to port at 0.45 p.m; yesterday,. At .ono time it rather seemed as if tho mishap might end with serious consequences, as the vessel was' drifting i towards the rocks which lio between Lyall Bay and Island Bay. Soon by a reporter last evening, Cap- ■ tain Whalstrom, told the following story:—-"We left port for Westporfc at 5.15 p.m., and when we were off Haughton Bay the circulating pump valve spindlo broke. As the circulating pump supplies tho condenser with water the accident caused tho main engines to stop. It , was blowing a fresh breeze • from the south, and a heavy roll was swooping in. Wo dropped anchor and let out a quantity of chain. Somehow or othor tho anchor would not hold. We were dragging rapidly, inshore. Presently tho 30 fathom mark (on the chain) was passed, and .still the vessel drifted towards tho rocks. At the 90-fathom mark the anchor held, and for a time were wero in safety. Meanwllilo the engineers wore endeavouring to repair tho brokon parts. .After on hour's strenuous work tho job was finished, but b'y this time tlio wind and sea wore increasing. Wo commenced to haul in tho anchor-chain,, but experienced great difficulty in doing so, as the Putiki was pitching and rolling about in a disquieting manner. However,-we heaved away as hard as wo could 1 , and managed to got 30 fathoms of chain aboard/ but tho remainder would not 'como.' Things were then beginning to look unpleasant, and so it was decided to slip tho anchor and thirty fathoms,of chain, buoy it, and make for port."' • . From other remarks by Captain Whalstrom, it seems that Mr. Hardgreaves and Mr. (engineers) did good work in repairing the valve 'spindle, considering tlio circumstances. Their job held together well till tho Putiki was berthed at the wharf. Permanent repairs aro expected to bo completed in time for the Putiki to resume hor jour- ' ney to Westport at 10 a.m. to-day. At 8.30 o'clock last night the brigadowas called out to a two-storied 11-' l roomed house, No. 80 Clydo Quay, conpied by Mr. C. _S. Milliner (and owned by Mrs. E. Fa'rquhar, Vivian Street),who'ro an outbreak of firo had started. Two rooms and a portion of the rear of tho building wero badly damaged, and tho contents of ono room destroyed before tho blazo was controlled. Tho building is insured in tho South British j oflico for £700, and in tho London and Lancashire for £200. The contents are insured in tho Yorkshire offico for £200. Cheap Motor Cycles.—During this month a unique opportunity is offered to sccure & thoroughly reliable and un-to-clato Motor Cycle at considerably "less than loaded cost. We have a tow new mid reliable second-hand motors to .quit before the Summer, to make room for new Season's Models. All these motors have been overhauled, and tested, and tire guaranteed for three months against defects. Full stock of duplicates on hand. To the man of limited means who lives out of town or enjoys spending his weekend in touring, the present opportunity is specially attractive. Write for sale list, or call and have- a trial. Cyclo and Motor Supplies, Ltd., Parish Street, ■Wellington.—Advt.