A LONG TOW.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1926, Page 1

A LONG TOW.

FROM ARIA TO SUVA. AUCKLAND. April 7. A successful tow of (Fit) miles, ironi Apia to Suva, was accomplished by the Now Zealand Government steamer Hilionioa. during her last trip to the Islands.

The 11 ineinoa, which returned to Auckland this morning, sailed from this port on March Kith, and iiist proceeded to Niue Island with genoi.il cargo. Thence she went to Apia to pick UP the small steamer Lady Roberts! which had been disabled by violent hurricanes which recently swept the islands of the Hamonn group. The two steamers were linked by a strong towing cable, about 75 fathoms in length. and at 5 o'clock on the afternoon of March 21th the ton vns comm."iwed. The vessel had not been bug at st a before tile weather became rough, and the engines of both, vessels were stopped. As the result of a particularlv smart piece of work, an additional 'length of t hirty fathoms ol ltii, cable was shackled on to (be tow line within the short space of an hour, and the steamers then resumed thenvoyage. Better progress was made with the longer line, but the weatliei continued boisterous, and at J o’clock on the afternoon of the following day the steamers were forced to reduce speed, the swell being exceptionally heavy. After a delay of three hours the tow was resumed at full speed, and the remainder of the distance between the two ports was covered without incident, the steamers arriving at Suva on March 29th.

’fbe tow. during which the Lady Roberts’ engines ran slowly, was accomplished at. an average speed of eight knots per hour. At Suva the Hinemoa landed a quantity of fruit, and sailed for Auckland on Tuesday evening last. The Lady Roberts, which was for a long time stationed at Auckland, is to be repaired at Suva, a number of her plates having been badly damaged when she went ashore on the reef at Apia.