Rona Refloated.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1922, Page 1

Rona Refloated.

___ O g>— <l SAFE ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND

[by TEI.ECiIIAgH—-PEK I’JtESH ASSOCIATION]

UCKLAND, -Tune 29.

The Sugar Coy’s, steamer Rena- was hauled off the fiat rock at five minutes to eight this morning by the tugs Awhinn. and Lyttelton with her own engines going full steam astern. Rona, which several times pounded ds | forepart heavily on its ugly lied, slow-, l v turned her stern eastward. 1 “J came moments of fearful anxiety. > tween two and three hundred f«t to the nor-east of the fiat rock, the Rona rose to a fairly heavy swell and then pounded down with a terrific thump to an unchartered rock. This was apparently under the bridge and No - hold Thor ewere half a dozen heavy bumps in succession, but the Rona cop tinned to back off and swing hei stem to port, then rolled heavily into deep water and floated calmly upright. Thee was a period of fearful suspense until t),e well had been sounded; and then, when it had been ascertained that the fresh grounding had not penetrated her bottom, the tugs cast off their hawsers and the steamer set her course for Auckland, moving slowly up the gul with the last of the inward tide. Fresh soundings were taken every few minutes but the vessel made no further water. Lurk was with the Rona. “Had that last grounding penetrated the ship’s bottom under No. 2 hold,” said Captain Hood, “it would have been all up with the Rona—or rather all down-for nothing could then have saved her.” Captain flood added that this rock was a distinct danger to shipping. The chart here showed 18 fathoms of water The danger seemed apparent, as the ship was already logged by 2000 tons of water in her forehold. There was a freshening breeze and a rising sea at the time, and any further penetration of the ship’s hull must have been fatal.

The Rona reached harbour about three o’clock, and was berthed at Chelsea. to discharge lier cargo. She will he docked later.