OUT ALL NIGHT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 7 December 1927, Page 5

OUT ALL NIGHT

TRAWLER STRIKES TROUBLE TOWED IN THIS MORNING. CREW NONE THE WORSE FOR EXPERIENCE. The failure of the steam trawler Waiwiri to put into port last night at her usual hour aroused oonoern at Port Ahurlrl, and as a result the steam trawler Pilot put out at about io o'clock last night in search of her The Waiwiri. which is one of the smaller trawling fleet, put out as usual yesterday morning for the fishing ground. She was observed during the day by other trawlers, apparently without anything amiss. As she is usually one of the last of the fleet to return to port, it was thought that she was staying out late to do some extra trawling. Although the Pilot cruised about during the night, she was not able to sight this little craft unil 5.30 this morning, when she took her in tow, bringing her back across the Bay to the Port, arriving in the Iron Pot shortly after 10 o’clock. It was feared that the- engine had been disabled, but such was not the case, as she had steam up when she anved' back this morning. CAUSE OF TROUBLE NOT KNOWN, The exact cause of the trouble is not known, but Mr Rumpier, wno was in charge, stated tnar ne thought the propeller had gone. Everything was going splendidly, and after casting the net for the second time, at about 11.30, the mishap occurred when the vessel failed to answer to her engine power. They were then out in the middle of the Bay. During the afternoon he sewed a number of sacks together, making a sail, which he put up. During (he night neither he nor his mate ' Woods) saw the lights of Napier, except those of a motor-car going over one of the hill roads. WATCHED FOR FLARES. They watched until midnight for flares from any craft that might be coming to their assistance, but they did not bother after that. Although there was a north-west wind blowing the sea was by no means rough, and they had quite a comfortable night. Mr Rumpier stated that they did not encounter any strong winds until after they were, taken in tow. They had plenty of coal and water aooard and were none the worse for 'their experience, except for the loss of sleep. The Waiwiri was trawling a considerable distance further out in the Bay than the rest of the fleet. She is owned by Barno Bros., of Palmerston North.