THE KOWHAI

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 224, 16 June 1919, Page 6

THE KOWHAI

PROSPECTS AS TO REFLOATING "' HEAVY SWELL'HAMPERS OPERATIONS ■ At noon yesterday the Union Com--pany's tug Terawhiti returned to port after making an unsuccessful attempt to tow the \freighter Kowhai off the beach at Farewell Spit. The Kowhai, whilst bound to Wcstport from One'hunga, went ashore on tho spit during a fog on Monday last at about i p.m., settling on a hard, sandy bottom about six miles north of the lighthouse, i Tho Terawhiti left port on Monday night last with salvage gear, and has since, been engaged in endeavouring to get' the lyou'hai off. Captain Waltou, marine, superintendent for the Union Steam' Ship Company, was in charge'of the operations, but owing to the heavy swell experienced very little could be done'towards getting the vessel off. From information' gathered by a Dominion reporter yesterday it. appears that the Kowhai's position is considered safe, and. that there is every chance of getting her off. As far as is known the Vessel has not suffered any damage to her hull. She has a list to starboard, and is considered to bo in a fairly safe position. At low tide she is practically high and dry, and at full tide the slight rooking -indicates that she is resting on the sand amidships. Tile heavy swell experienced rendered towing operations almos't impossible, as the Terawhiti i&oulcl' not get nearer than a mile to the shore. .The tug has been working,from Totarauui, and on Wednesday met the Komata, which brought a five-ton mushroom anchor from Wellington. This was dropped overboard about a mile from the Kowhai, and a line was .passed to the Kowhai. A strain was taken 011 the line, and the Tefawhiti attempted to tow, but very little movement • was noticed. On Friday tho Karamu joined in the salvago and another tow was attempted. The Karuniu's line snapped, but the Kowhai was moved about tiro points. It is now proposed to drop another mushroom anchor. Both anchors will be connected to the Kowhoi, and in order to obtain a more miifqrm strain a double purchase will bo used. Using the Kowhai's own winches it is hoped that the vessel will refloat herself. The Terawhiti, Tvitli Captain Walton on board, will return to the Spit io-day, when' with the aid of the spring .tide 'a determined effort will be made to refloat the freighter.

Captain Dirismore is. remaining on fhe Kowhai.. with some of his engine-room staff, whilst the majority of'the crew are fcamping on the some distance away from the lighthouse.- Tliey are all. reported to be comfortable. '