STEAMER DISABLED

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1931, Page 6

STEAMER DISABLED

LOSS OF 'THE PROPELLER

ACCIDENT IN THE PACIFIC

AUCKLAND, September 30

The American steamer Golden Cloud, which arrived at Auckland from Los Angeles on Sunday, lost her propeller in the Pacific when she was returning to America from New Zealand and Australia on the last voyage. * The accident occurred at 1.30 a.m. on July 13, when the vessel was 230 miles south-west of Honolulu.

The mishap was caused owing to the tail-shaft breaking close outside the stern tube, the propeller and the end of the tail-shaft dropping oft'. No other damage was done. The weather was fine at the time and in response to a wireless message the American Naval mine sweeper Simmulin was dispatched from Honolulu to tow the disabled vessel to port. The mine sweeper reached the Golden Cloud at midday oil July 14, alter the disabled vessel had been drifting at the rate of one knot an hour tor thirty-tour hours, and no difficulty was experienced in commencing the tow. A speed of five and a half knots was averaged by the mine sweeper during the tow to 'Honolulu, which was reached at 10 a.m. on July 16. Ihe Golden Cloud did not have a spare propeller on board, so a new one was sent from San Francisco to Honolulu, and alter repairs had been effected the steamer. resumed her voyage to San Francisco.