NAPIER HARBOR

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1931, Page 2

NAPIER HARBOR

HARBOUR MASTER’S STORY. WELLINGTON, February 8. Reference to the stale of the Napier Harbour after the earthquake was made for the first time to-day by Captain White-Parsons, the harbourmaster, in an interview. Captain WhiteParsons was on H.M.S. Veronica when the earthquake occurred, and in addition to describing the actual occurrence he discussed shortly the future of the port. Originally the Veronica was to have arrived at Napier at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, hut she was six hours ahead of time, and arrived at six in the morning. Captain White-Parsons boarded the sloop at seven o’clock, and she berthed at the inner tee at 7.50. The official calls had been arranged for three o’clock, but Commander Morgan decided to make some calls at 1] a.m., and he was in his cabin with the harbourmaster shortly before that hour.

Captain White-Parsons said there was suddenly a terriffie noise like an explosion, and they both thought the ship’s magazines had exploded. Then there was a severe jolting, and the bed of the sea rose and bumped the sloop heavily. The stern lines broke away and the ship was jolting heavily. The two men rushed to th edeck to see corrugated iron walls collapsing, and great piles of material being thrown into the streets. Railway lines were being twisted and torn, and considerable sections of the wharf structure were flung 'into tho harbour. The water washed out and then came back again.

From that moment Commander Morgan took complete charge of the port and shore relief wa s organised immediately. Landing parties were sent ashore at once, and tile men were only too willing to go.

“T have no doubt that the presence) of the Veronica and a man like Commander Morgan in the port, meant the saving of many hundreds of livesr,” said Captain White-Parsons. He added that Commander Morgan, with his officers and men, carried on until the two cruisers arrived.

Captain White-Parsons also pays a tribute to the work of the cadets on the steamer Northumberland, and the officers and crew of the Taranaki, ’ who landed as soon as possible. The harbourmaster described the work of the officers and men of the sloop as of the utmost value. The sloop maintained communication with the outside world at a time when other means were not to he had.

Referring to the harbour, Captain White-Parsons said the water had receded five feet throughout the whole area. The position at the present mom ent was that the authorities were mere I,V awaiting developments. J\o one couldr tell in the meantime what would be the outcome of the affair. Ocean-going steamers were anenoring off the breakwater in no less than six fathoms. The Glasgow wharf, near tho Bluff, was safe enough, and ships that draw up to 23 feet of water can berth there in the meantime.