THE MONOWAI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3774, 17 September 1907, Page 3

THE MONOWAI.

Towed to Sydney. All Safe. A Broken Rudder. Sydney, Sontember 15. The overdue Union liner the 5.5. Monowai arrived in port early this morning in tow of the 5.5. Mokoia. The Monowai had her shaft broken on the morning of the 10th.

The passengers are all well. The story of the Monowai is one of splendid seamanship both on the part of the Monowai’s officers and crew and also those of the Mokoia.

At 3.30 this morning South Head lighthouse signalled “Monowai in tow of what appears to be a warship.” Capt. Crawshaw, of the Union Company, and representatives of the Press Association left Sydney with a couple of tug boats. The weather was fine.

Outside the Heads daylight had broken and it was seen that it was the Mokoia that had the disabled steamer in tow.

The Monowai was under her steam and that dispelled the idea that the machinery had, broken down.

On boarding the vessel it was found that the rudder post had been carried away. The Monowai had dirty weather after leaving Wellington, and a tremendous beam sea was running. Everything went well until 3 o’clock on the morning of the 10th, when the ship suddenly failed to answer her helm. The speed was immediately reduced. A strong west by south-west gale was blowing, and the ship was plunging heavily. All hands set to work rigging spars to secure the rudder, and the sea anchors were got out. It was a perilous task getting wire hawsers attached to the rudder, but it was eventually accomplished. From the heavy booms rigged out aft on both sides a wire rope from the helm was passed on to the winches.

The passengers were not aware of the gravity of the accident until dajdight. The most alarming thing to the passengers was the fearful lurching of the vessel in the trough of the sea. She rolled top side under. The temporary steering gear was carried away several times, but the crew worked bravely to repair the damage.

At } o’clock on the afternoon of the nth the mdin trysail w'asbent to steady the ship and at 6 o’clock the sea anchor was hove in for repairs. At 9.50 p.m. the repairs were effected and the anchor was towed from the starboard bow, heavy squalls of rain and a terrific sea continuing. The sea anchors carried away. At 7 o’clock in the morning the foresail was set and the canvas rigged in the fore-rig-ging, oil being used with beneficial effect to smooth the sea. The passengers during these two days behaved admirably. When the vessel broke down she was aeo miles off the coast of New South Wales, but under the influence of the west south-west gale she drifted back considerably. At 4.20 on the morning of the 12th the Mokoia was sighted. The weather was thick, and to those on board the Monowai it was regarded as miraculous that the steamer to Auckland saw her. However, in 15 minutes the Mokoia was alongside. Then a thrilling feat was performed by Captain Smith of the Mokoia.

“It was the finest piece of seamanship I have ever seen,” said Captain Rolls. The skipper of the Monowai further stated :—“ The sea was terrific and no boat could have lived through it, therefore Captain Smith essayed to run close up alongside. ’ ’ “ It was a period of intense excitement as the Monowai sank in the trough of the sea. The Mokoia towered above her and looked as if she must inevitably crush our steamer. At a striking psychological moment, the Mokoia was brought full speed on the lee side, and her head thrown off at the right instant, allowing her stern to brush past. The Monowai actually touched her on Idle port bow.

Like a flash a line was thrown aboard and a steel hawser made fast. Both vessels settled down to half speed, but the tow only lasted 40 minutes when the hawser snapped. Darkness settled down and it was impossible to try the feat again of placing the rope aboard the Mqnowai. therefore she stood by until daylight. After the line had parted, a dangerous task was successfully carried out aboard the Monowai, that of getting the port anchor hove aboard. In smooth water such a task may he easy enough, but with the wild diving of the vessel the operation was very difficult as there was always the possibility 7 ' of the anchor going through the ship’s side as she lurched ; nevertheless it was managed, and the anchor was safely stowed on board.

At 5.40 on the morning of the 14th, the Mokoia splendidly handled again got alongside of the Monowai and again passed the rope and the hawser was fastened to 60 fathoms of the Monowai’s cable which stood the strain beautifully and the long tow of 294 miles was safely executed. At the time of starting the tow, the weather began to moderate but occasionally fierce squalls blew with mountainous seas running. As the weather got finer the rudder tackles were readjusted

aboard the Monowai, and the vessel came more under control. Indeed had the weather been at all fine after the accident, she could have made Sydney under a makeshift gear. The tugs relieved the Mokoia at the Heads, but when once inside the Monowai was able to proceed up the harbour without assistance. For three days and nights Captain Rolls of the Monowai never left the bridge and the passengers are loud in their praise of his coolness and resourcefulness. To all the officers and men their warmest praise is also due. How the Mokoia came to pick up the Monowai is explained by Captain Smith. He stated, “As the Monowai was overdue somewhat when I left Sydney, and not sighting her before dark, I concluded something must be wrong, so I decided to keep to southward which I did till we sighted the Monowai to northward flying a signal that her rudder was disabled. I went near enough to put a line aboard, and eventually commenced to tow her at 6.55 on Friday morning, the weather gradually improving. When both vessels reached the wharf the passengers on the Monowai and Mokoia cheered one another, bands playing “ For They are Jolly Good Fellows” and “Auld Lang Syne” until the Monowai was docked.

It is impossible to say how long the repairs of the Monowai may take.

The Mokoia resumed her journey at 10.30 a.m. The Manuka met the vessels in tow and signalled the news to South Head (Sydney). The Monowai’s horses and sheep are in good condition.