UNLUCKY WAIPORI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 440, 23 August 1928, Page 11

UNLUCKY WAIPORI

BACK TO AUCKLAND FOR SECOND TIME BROKEN CYLINDER NOW Since being taken over by a Japanese firm recently the exUnion Company’s steamer, Waipori has been dogged by a singular turn of ill-iuck. For the second time within six days the vessel returned to Auckland yesterday after sailing for Newcastle. Now Ilyins the Rising Sun of Japan and renamed Waipori Maru, the vessel left Auckland on Tuesday week last for the New South Wales coalins port. After taking three days to reach the North Cape, the vessel had to return to port on Friday to replenish her bunkers, as the captain feared that his coal supplies might run out before the Australian coast was made. She left again on Saturday evening, but at two o’clock yesterday afternoon the signalman at Tiritiri reported that the vessel was again returning to port. At six o’clock the Waipori Maru dropped anchor in the stream, when it was learned that 130 miles west of Cape Maria Van Diemen a fracture occurred in the cylinder of her circulating pump, which was consequently put out of action. The accident occurred late on Monday evening last, and as there was a prospect of rough weather prevailing across the Tasman it was deemed inadvisable ’to rely solely on the auxiliary pumps to circulate sea water for cooling the condenser for the remainder of the voyage. The captain then put back to port, the engines functioning normally for the return trip.

Repairs to the pumps are being affected to-day, but as it will be necessary for the vessel to take on a further supply of coal and stores, she will not sail again for Newcastle before to-mor-row.