THE TAVIUNI REFLOATED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 249, 26 November 1909, Page 2

THE TAVIUNI REFLOATED.

A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION. ENGINEER'S RESOURCE AND DE- I ..TERMINATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Westport, Last Night. One dark, misty night eighteen months tgo at 0.10 p.m. the Union Company's steamer Taviuni, bound to Westport, over-ran the port, and ran ashore on the sea beach at the west side of the harbor entrance. Mr. Dau.els, the Union Company's veteran salvage foreman, has been engaged ever since, off and on, in preparations to replace the steamer in navigable waters, and at 8.40 o'clock thi-i nioiring succeeded. Originally .'ii attempt was made to launch tb." vessel seaward, but this course was soon ascertained to be im- 1 practical'!;', and it was then decided to ~',uft her along the beach a considerible listunce and launch her through a cut in the breakwater into the river. An enormous <>nd costly work was entailed in t cirrying cut this scheme. For one c! thing, tlte breakwater of fascines an! timber had been built on the seaward t side of the ship, and the shifting sand i proved a continuing difficulty, to an ex- i tent never anticipated. All sorts of ] drawbacks were encountered, and it M i to the credit of Mr. DuiieU and his stall that they were one bv one ovcrcjine, < and thal'lhc undertaking at length htiß : liven brought to a successful issue. Mr. Daniels was favored with ideal condii i.'cns for the completion of his great task. The .veather was beautiful and the sea and river as smooth as glass. From r.u early hour people had ocen gathering from all quarters, and when the ship glided into the stream several thou- • sand spectators witnessed the opcra- - linn. The breakwater on the town s'de of the river was the most popular point of view, but many crossed the stream by train f.r.e) met or launch to get a closer vi,'\v. The scene was picturesqueand busy. Tn the foreground, repOßing ■' in dignity on her cradle, was the Tavj- - uni, which hod become such a welly known local landmark. Aoovo and beo low her in the ?!icnm were lying the tugs Mn'ia and Tcruwhiti, and motor launches darted I ere and there and row boats basking in the early morning sunshine were deeply interested spectators. Here and there cameras were to he seen. The early arrivals had some time to wait as Mr. l)ni,iels did not start the final act until he was ready. His staff had been at work from dawn completing the preparations. He awaited the turn of the tide at 8.10 a.m. A couple of warning whistles were heard. Two men were stationed in responsible positions. Mr. Daniels gave the word "Now!" and they knocked away the last two wedges. The big steamer immediately- moved, and then glided gracefnly into the river. An anchor was dropped, anil in a moment the ship swung gnccfully into the middle of the stream. The actual operation of launching was quiet, rapid, simile and successful (ran every point of view. The pub'io. were deeply interested, aid ■when it was seen that the vessel was afloat vigorous chters rang out from the onlooker.; ou bctl sides of the river, while Captain Leech supplemented the vocal demonstration with a "hip-hip" blast on the Mana's whistle. The tugs ranged alongside, and the Mana then took the Taviuni in tow nnd berthed her at the crane wharf. She is to load 600 tons of coal, and, under the command of Captain Collins, wilt be towed by the Union Company's tug Terawhiti to Port Chalmers for repairs.