STEAMER ENDANGERED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 659, 10 May 1929, Page 16

STEAMER ENDANGERED

DRIFTING ON ROCKS TOWED TO SAFETY Press Association INVERCARGILL, Thursday. The officers and crew'of the steamer Taratahi spent an anxious afternoon today when, on account of engine trouble, the vessel was in danger of being driven on to the rocks in the vicinity of Waipapa, about 17 miles from Bluff. The Taratahi, of 124 tons gross, is engaged in the oyster trade and left Bluff at 6.30 o’clock this morning for the beds between Green Island and Dog Island. All went well until the weather conditions forced the crew to give up oystering for the day. The vessel had just got under way for Bluff at 11.15 o’clock when the engines stopped on account of boiler trouble. Another boat of the oyster fleet rendered what assistance she could and proceeded to Bluff for further assistance. The Theresa Ward, in charge of the harbourmaster, Captain Lindsay, immediately put to sea and located the Taratahi within two hours of the report reaching Bluff. The captain of the Taratahi had kept a kedge anchor out to hold the ship’s head to the' wind and sea, but the vessel dragged the anchor for some miles. A line was made fast and at 3.25 o’clock the vessels left for Bluff, which was reached without incident. It is stated that only the precaution taken by Captain Johnson, of the Taratahi, in putting out the kedge anchor saved the vessel from destruction.