LONG PACIFIC TOW NOW NEARING CONCLUSION

Grey River Argus, 14 October 1948, Page 3

LONG PACIFIC TOW NOW NEARING CONCLUSION

P.A. AUCKLAND, Oct. 13 Twenty 7 -two days after the start of the tow from the Eastern Paciuc, the P. and O. Line motorship Palana will steam into the Hauraki Gulf to-mor-row night with the disabled British freighter, Fernmoor. Tne fact that the haul of 2303 miles is the longest salvage tow ever made by a merchant ship, was confirmed by the Palana’s master, Captain, F. R. Spurr in a wireless message tonight. Giving his noon position as 205 miles from Auckland, Captain Spurr stated that the day’s run was 133 miles. The tow had by then covered 2098 miles. Captain Spurr said that the previous comparable tow was of 1979 miles from Aden to Basra, made by the Floristan and the disabled Baharistan. The master of the Fernmoor, Captain F. B. Lamb, advised to-day that the two ships would arrive early on Friday morning, if the weather remained fine. To-night, the two ships were making six knots into a light north-north-west wind, and a light swell. It is expected the ships will be met in Hauraki Gulf earlv on Friday morning by the Auckland Harbour Board tugs. The Palana will hand her tow over to the tugs, and enter the port for fuelling. The Fernmoor will be taken to the wharf for engine repairs.