THE MONOWAI SAFE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2186, 16 September 1907, Page 2

THE MONOWAI SAFE.

TOWED TO SYDNEY BY THE MOKOIA. HISTORY OE THE MISHAP. MARVELLOUS FEAT OF SEAMANSHIP. United Prcsg Association —Copyright (Received Sept. 15. 9.03 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 15. The Monowai has arrived in tow of the Mokoia. On the .morning of the 10th at 3 o’cloo'k the Monowai BROKE HER RUDDER SHAFT and at 4 a.m. on the 12th was picked up by the Mokoia all well. (Received Sept. 15, 2.17 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 15. The story of the Monowai is one ofSPLENDID SEAMANSHIP,

both oji the jrart of the Monowai’s own officers and crew and those of the Mokoia. At 3.30 this morning South Head signalled, “Monowai in tow of what appears to bo warship.” Captain Crawshaw, of the Union Company, and representatives of the Press Association left Sydney with a couple of tug-boats. The weather was lino with a roll outside. Daylight had broken, and it was seen that it was the Mokoia that hud the disabled (steamer in tow. The Monowai was under her own steam. That dispelled the idea that the machinery had broken down. On boarding the vessel they found the RUDDER-POST CARRIED AWAY The Monowai had dirty weather after leaving Wellington, a tremendous beam sea running. Everything went well till 3 o’clock on the morning of the 10th, when the ship suddenly FAILED TO ANSWER HER HELM. Speed was immediately reduced. A strong west-south-west gale was blowing, and the ship was plunging heavily. All hands sot to work rigging spirs to securo the rudder, and sea anchors were got out. It was A PERILOUS TASK

getting the wire hawsers attached to the rudder, but eventually it was ; ccoinplished. From heavy booms rigged out aft on both sides a wire rope from the helm was passed on to vne wiliches.

The passengers were not aware of the gravity of the accident till daylight. The most alarming thing to passengers was the FEARFUL LURCHING OF THE

VESSEL in the trough of the sea. She rolled top-sides under. On the port side the temporary steering gear was carried away several times, but the crew worked bravely to repair the damage. At 3 o’clock on the afternoon of the 11th the MAIN TRY-SAIL AVAS BENT to steady the ship, and at 6 o’clock the sea-anchor was hove in for repairs. At 9.50 repairs wore effected, and the anchor towed from the starboard how, heavy SQUALLS OF RAIN AND TERRI-FIC-SEA continuing. The sea-anchors stopped the drift somewhat, but at 2 o’clock on the morning of the 12th the ANCHORS CARRIED AWAY. At 7 o’clock in the morning the fore-sail was set. and the canvas rigged in the fore-rigging, oil being used with beneficial effect to smooth the sea. For these two days the PASSENGERS BEHAVED ADMIRABLY.

AVheu the vessel broke down she was 200 miles off the coast, but under the influence of the west-south-west gale she drifted- back considerably. At 4.20 a.m on the 12th the Mokoia was sighted. The AVEATHER AVAS VERY THICK and to those on board the Monowai it was regarded as miraculous that the Auckland steamer saw her. However. in 15 minutes she was alongside. Then A THRILLING FEAT

was performed by Captain Smith. “It was tho finest piece of seamanship I have ever seen, ’ said Captain Rolls “The sea was terrific, and no boat could have, lived through it. Therefore Captain Smith

ESSAYED TO RUN THE MOKOIA CLOSE UP

alongside. It was a period of intense excitement as the Monowai • 6unk in a trough, and the Mokoia towered •above her and LOOKED AS IF SHE MUST CRUSH our steamer. Striking the psychological moment the Mokoia came full speed on the lee-sido, _ throwing her head off at the right instant, allowing her stem to brush oast the Monowai, actually touching her on the port bow. LIKE A FLASH '

a line was thrown aboard, and the steel hawser was made fast. Both vessels settled down to half speed, but the tow only lasted 40 minutes, as the HAWSERS PARTED.

Darkness settled down, and it was impossible to try the feat again of plaoing a rope aboard. The Mokoia therefore stood by till daylight. After the line parted a dangerous task was successfully carried out aboard the Monowai—that of getting the port anchor hove aboard. In smooth water suoh a task might be easy enough, but with the wild diving of the vessel the operation was difficult. There was always the HAIR-RAISING POSSIBILITY of the anchor going through the ship as she lurched. Nevertheless it was managed, and the anchor safely stowed on board. At 5.40 o’clock on the morning of the 14tli the MOKOIA GOT ALONGSIDE AGAIN. She was splendidly handled. She passed a rope and the hawsor was fastened to 60 fathoms of the Monowai’s cable. It stood the strain beautifully, and the long “tow of 294 miles was commenced. At the time of starting the tow the weather began to moderate, but there were occasional

* FIERCE SQUALLS, with mountainous seas. As the weather got finer the rudder tackles were adjusted aboard the Monowai and the vessel came moro under control. Indeed, had the weather been at all fine after the accident she could have made Sydney under makeshift gear. Tugs relieved the Mokoia at the Heads, but when once inside the Monowai was able to jiroceed up the harbor without assistance. For three nights

CAPTAIN ROLLS NEVER LEFT THE BRIDGE. The passengers praise his coolness and resourcefulness, and to all the officers and men the warmest praise is due. CAPTAIN SMITH’S TALE. How the Mokoia came to pick up the Monawai is explained by Captain •Smith. He states: “As the Monowai was overdue somewhat when I left Sydney and not sighting her before d irk, I concluded that something must be wrong, so decided to keep to the southward, which I did till I sighted the Monowai to the northward flying the signal, ‘Rudder disabled.’ I went near enough to put a lino aboard, and eventually commenced to tow her at 6.55 on Friday morning. The weather gradually ini proved."

EXCITING SCENE AT THE WHARF. When both vessels reached the wharf the passengers cheered one another, bands playing “For they are jolly good fellows” and “Auld Lang Syne.” ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE IMPOSSIBLE. Until the Monowai is docked it is impossible to say how long repairs may take. HOAV THE NEWS WAS SENT. The Manuka met the vessels in tow and signalled the news to South Head.