BOW LINES SNAP

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 443, 26 May 1937, Page 5

BOW LINES SNAP

Difficulty In Berthing Press Association—Copyright. Auckland, May 25. In the grip of a peculiar and powerful set of the flood tide the new 12,009 ton Blue Star line motor-ship Melbourne Star was not made fast alongside the wharf until 5.30 p.m. to-day. For more than an hour the big ship lay about 10 yards off and parallel to the wharf. With straining eight inch Manila lines from her bow and stern, with’ her powerful twin screws working first ahead and then astern, and assisted by the Auckland Harbour Board’s modern tug, William C. Daldy, she would come close to the quay only to be swept away again by the tide. It was with a deep report that first one of the bow lines was carried away and then one from the stern. Laden down to her marks with a full cargo, the ship put terriffic strains upon the lines, and it was only the skilful handling of the vessel by the pilot which prevented more gear being broken. Unfortunately the harbour board’s other tug, Te Awahina, is on the slipway undergoing her annual overhaul. With two tugs it is considered the Melbourne Star could have been berthed in much quicker tim#