SUNK IN CANAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1016, 5 July 1930, Page 6

SUNK IN CANAL

SCOW STRIKES SNAG CREW'S ORDEAL AT NIGHT From Our Own Correspondent NGATEA, Friday. The Auckland scow Raliiri struck a snag in the Waikaka Canal, Piako River, late on Tuesday evening, and was evidently badly holed, for she sank in a few minutes. She now lies ou ail uneven keel practically dam ming up the swift moving stream and effectively blocking all navigation. The banked-up water is escaping over the vessel and through a small gap at the bow. The three men who form the crew jumped for the canal bank when the boat sank, and spent the rest of the night in their wet clothes fixing ropes to prevent the current capsizing the vessel. The night was foggy and frosty. In the morning when a Lands Drainage Department launch arrived on the scene the men were found diving into the flooded cabin and flooded galley in efforts to secure clothing and food. They had no dry matches with which to light a fire dur ing the night. The scow was carrying sawn timber from the Tahuna mill and was probably travelling at a great rate when the snag was struck as the current in the canal is very fast, the canal having been made to cut off a big bend in the river. It will be necessary to unload the j vessel to move it, and this will be somewhat difficult on account of the rush of water. It is understood that the owner of the scow, Mr. A. W Bryant, shingle contractor, of Auckland, has sent another scow to remove the cargo. The submerged vessel may be floated to the Land Drainage De partment’s slip at Kerepeehi in orde» to have temporary repairs effected. The Waikaka canal traverses unoccupied country a few miles downstream from the Patetonga landing. During’ a gale on October 24 last, the Rahiri dragged tier anchor and was driven ashore on Chamberlain’s Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Part of the bulwarks ou the starboard side was torn away The scow was later towed to Auckland for repairs. The Rahiri is a vessel of 35 tons, having an overall length of G6ft. and a beam of 18ft. She was built in Auckland in 1907. •