SHIPPING MISHAPS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4709, 9 June 1924, Page 2

SHIPPING MISHAPS.

DIFFICULT BRIDGE PASSAGE. DAMAGE TO BOATS AND BRIDGE. The difficulty of negotiating the passage through the Ngatea bridge was again demonstrated on Friday last, when slight mi,simps befel two vessels and the bridge was damaged. When a vessel is proceeding in the same direction as the current it >s necessary, to enabl.e it to be steered, er rate than the water. During flood that the vessel should travel at a times this is very difficult, and many devices have been adopted to get vessels safely through the narrow opening. On Friday the Northern Steamship Go’s. Wiapu came down-stream towing a drag to steady her. However, on nearing the bridge it was seen that the vessel should travel at a faststraight for the opening, and considerable manoeuvring took place, but without success. Finally the steamer was brought down near the right bank and the bow swung out to within the wingwalls. Then, with the aid of ropes fastened to the steam winches, the vessel was straightened sufficiently to enable her to work through the passage. The drag, however, fouled the telephone and telegraph cable, causing a break in all the wires. The wires were joined up on Saturday morning by wires laid along the bridge. A new cable and a gang of men are being sent down from Auckland, but in the meantime the wires will have to be cut whenever it is necessary to open the bridge. , The Northern Steamship Company's oil-driven vessel Toreo struck the bridge very heavily while attempting to pass through at full speed. Several of the fender waljngs were crushed to matchwood, and several of the planks on the vessel were broken.

The strength pf the current at this point may be gauged from the fact that a steamer and two launches were unable to tow a metal scow up-stream.