THE SCOW MOA

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1930, Page 5

THE SCOW MOA

ARRIVES' AT WELLINGTON

, STORMY PASSAGE,

The auxiliary scow Moa arrived at Wellington after a stormy trip from Auckland, via Gisborne. The vessel berthed at Queen’s Wharf, where she attracted much attention owing to the fact that Count Von Lucknor escaped in her from Auckand during the war, and was recaptured after a smart pursuit. The Moa left Auckland on December 18th. for uisborne with 180 tons of coal. Using her twin oil engines,, the little craft made good progress until north( of White Island, when she ran into heavy weather. Owing to the scow jibing she broke her foreboom. She arrived at Gisborne on Friday, Dec. 20th. After discharging her cargo of coal and replenishing her stores, the Moa sailed from Gisborne last Friday night. She had moderate weather till nearing Cape Palliser when the w'ind freshened until on rounding the Cape the Moa: ran into a heavy north-westerly gale with mountainous seas. The vessel was hove-to with her engines keeping her head on to the seas. During terrific squalls the staysail and jib were blown to ribbons. At 2.30 a.m. on Sunday the wind changed, to a moderate south-westerly, with smooth seas, and the little craft was tnen able to make good progress to port. Captain E. A. Burton (of Wellington) formerly of the scow Zingara, brought the Moa from Auckland to Wellington. Mr 1L 4 Frail is engineer. Captain E. Norton, of Auckland, will take command, of the Moa, with Captain'Burton as 1 mate.

The Moa was built at Auckland in 1907. Her principal dimensions are: 99 tons gross; length 94ft. bin.; beam 30ft. 3in.; depth sft. Bin. She has a dee]) centre-board. The Mon. was for-, morly owned by the Leyland 0 Brien Timber Company, Auckland, and was used by that company in their timber trade. She was purchased nineteen months ago by W instone, Ltd., Auckland who fitted her with twin Fair-banks-Morse engines, of 45 horse-power each. At sea, in fine weather, The Moa can make six knots on a loaded draught. The Moa, which is making her first appearance at Wellington, will trade between this port and Hokitika. Messrs Adams and Blyth are the Wellington agents. The Gael left at 1 p.m. to-dav for Nelson, timber laden, and leaves there on return to Hokitika on Monday.