THE YACHT ARIKI

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2076, 31 December 1907, Page 2

THE YACHT ARIKI

UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO REFLOAT. ANOTHER ATTEMPT THIS MORNING. (From Our Special Reporter.) TOLAGA, Dee. 30. An unsuccessful attempt was made this afternoon to refloat the stranded yacht Ariki. The Union Company’s launch Tuatea was used for the purposoj and Captain Hawk left no stone unturned to pull her off tho sand, hut to no avail.- It was unfortunate that high water had been passed before the effort was made, and all concerned are confident that had the tide been at its full the vessel would have been .shifted. High water mark was readied to-day at 1.45 p.m., and although tho Tuatea arrived from Gisborne shortly after 1. o’clock, it was five minutes past 3 o’clock before all arrangements were completed and the Tuatea’s engines first tugged at the cable rope connecting the launch and the yacht. The tow-rope was 200 yards long, and a great many precautions had to he token that a steady and even pull over the whole of the yacht would be made. Tho tow-rope was passed right round the body of the yacht. Besides this the dinghy of the Tuatea. was suspended over the side of tho yacht from tiro top of the mast. It was full of water, and with the help of tho yacht’s crew, who were aboard her, the .little vessel was canted over at a sharp angle. This was done so that when the pull was made tlie keel instead of cleaving through the 6and would slide along the top of it. The Ariki originally grounded about 200 yards from high water mark, I’” 1 has since been swept to a spot which is almost dry at low water. Her stern is facing the sea, and her keel is buried throe feel in the sand. As tho Tuatea approached, tho tide being then at tho futi, the trim little vessel could be seen swaying easily from side to side; but now that the tide is out she lies over with a heavy list—helpless and hopeless looking. The interior is filled with water, and presents a most desolate appearance. However, in this department very little damage has taken place, but one hesitates to think what would have been the fate of the trim Auckland racer if a stiff north-easter had blown up. Lying ns she does, she would have been reduced to matchwood. As it is it is almost certain tliat the keel must have been injured, for, lying firmly embedded as she is at the present moment, the breakers which dash against her sides, thrash the little craft like gigantic rocks. The Tuatea is to make another attempt at next" high tide—about-. 2 o’clock to-morrow (Tuesday) morning —-when it is confidently hoped that the yacht will be refloated. If, however, the attempt is unsuccesful, the Tuatea will nqt wait to make another.