FEAT OF SEAMANSHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1929, Page 7

FEAT OF SEAMANSHIP

VESSEL BLOWN FROM WHARF

SAFELY TAKEN TO SEA

INVERCARGILL, August 22. At the monthly meeting of the Bluff Harbour to-clay the harbour master (Captain G. N.. Lindsay) submitted the following report on the circumstances attending the departure oif the liner Cumberland from the port on Saturday Aiigust 10: “During the forenoon the wind was a gale from west-north-west, accompanied by heavy squalls, culminating in a hail squall of unusual severity about noon. The wind afterwards shifted to south-west and continued blowing from that direction, with frequent rain squalls during the afternoon. As the tide rose several of the ship’s mooring wires carried away, and the vessel went off the wharf, hanging on by her head moorings. V “No time was lost in getting the tug alongside, and when I got on board the ship’s captain M’Millan, had the engines working in order to ease the strain on the remaining moorings. Unfortunately a number of the ship’s crew were on shore, but with the help of the waterside workers on board the officers managed to get their moorings in some sort of order. As the ship had nearly completed her cargo operations, and the prospect of being able to remoor with darkness coming on was hopeless. I decided to take her to sea. By the time the moorings were sufficiently cleared the tide was suitable and we proceeded to sea. ‘The weather was too boisterous ifor me to tranship to-the tug in the darkness, so she returned to port carrying the waterside workers, wo had got on board while the tug was alongside the Cumberland; “On Sunday morning at daylight the tug came out and brought the Cumberland’s men and took me from the Cumberland to the Mataroa. I would like to mention mv appreciation of Captain

Al’Millan’s kindness to me in waiting

in the straits all night, so that I might disembark in safety, and for having his engines ready for eventualities.” The chairman (Mr A. H. Aitken) said he thought that the board should recognise the services of Captain Lindsay in averting what might, have been a serious disaster, and he had telegraphed a message of appreciation. Speaking to a motion that the atcion of the chairman be confirmed Mr W. B

Dixon said that it had been an exceptionally fine piece of seamanship. He had watclipd the whole affair, and lie described Captain Lindsay’s action as extremely commendable. The Cumberland was one of the largest vessel®

trading to the port, and on the day of tho mishap she hacl been extremely light.

The motion was carried. The chairman said he took it that the engineer would proceed with the work of renewing the portion of the wharf that had been carried away. A member raised a question whether the existing bollards were sufficiently strong, Captain Lindsay was asked

his opinion whether it would be suffi

cient to renew the existing bollards or whether they should be strengthened. Fnntain Lindsay replied that the hoi lards should be strengthened as, by their appearance they had been cracked prior to the Cumberland breaking away. In reply to Mr H. Hinchey, Captain Lindsay said the occurence had ’ not been due to the engines of the vessel being in motion, but to weakness in the pile. Mr M’Gregor moved that the engineer be requested to submit a report on the question of providing shelter., He remarked that other vessels had been fortunate in the past. Mr W. A. Ott said , the master of a visiting liner had stated that it would be a great advantage if a second storey were erected on the Customs office. It was decided to ask for a report and that the engineer and the harbour master should collaborate in regard to the replacement of the piles,