STEAMER IN TROUBLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1939, Page 6

STEAMER IN TROUBLE

PORT BOWEN ASHORE

OUTSIDE WANGANUI HARBOUR.

HOPES OF REFLOATING

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WANGANUI. This Day. The steamer, Port Bowen, went ashore at 1 o’clock this morning about a quarter of a mile off the beach and a mile from the harbour entrance. She may possibly be floated off at high tide at 11.30. TUG DISPATCHED DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The Union Company’s steam tug Terawhiti leaves at about 10.30 a.m. to assist the stranded Port Bowen at Wanganui, and is expected to arrive there about 10 p.m. The Wellington Harbour Board's tug, Toia, is at present under overhaul. THE STRANDING VESSEL HELD BY BOW ON SANDY BEACH. W’ANGANUI SALVAGE TUG STANDING BY. WANGANUI, This Day. The Port Bowen arrived in the road’s stead at about one o’clock this morning, from Picton, to load 20,000 freight carcases and shortly afterwards grounded at low water. At the time, the vessel came to rest on the beach almost broadside on, with her bow pointing at a slight angle toward the shore. The sea was calm. The vessel took a list to starboard. The Pilot Station was communicated with immediately and the crew of the tug Kahanui was summoned. Within two hours steam was up and the tug was standing by. The pilot launch Karero was also taken out.

The Port Bowen was in the act of turning when she grounded. The night was fairly clear, looking seaward, but misty on land. The vessel is held on the sandy beach by the bow. When the tide started to make she was described as “alive.” The Kahanui is fully equipped with salvaging gear and is able to get close in to the stranded vessel. She has made all preparations to lay kedge anchors should the wind spring up, or the sea become rough.

ATTEMPT FAILS

SHIP TO BE LIGHTENED.

DISCHARGE OF GENERAL CARGO. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An attempt was made just after eleven o’clock, at high tide, to refloat the Port Bowen, the tug there and the Anchor Company's Rata participating, but the attempt was unsuccessful. The Port Bowen is almost fully loaded and is drawing 29 feet. Most of the cargo is refrigerated, but there is a quantity of general cargo and some of tms is to be unloaded this afternoon —enough, it is stated, to lighten the vessel considerably. Another attempt to refloat the ship will be made at eleven o’clock tonight, by which time the Terawhiti should also be there. The Terawhiti left Wellington later than was anticipated.

The Port Bowen has on board for London 1,840 carcases of mutton, 8.477 carcases of lamb, 72 tons of sundries, 400 boxes of butter and 700 crates of cheese; for Newcastle ten tons of beef; for Southampton, 235 carcases of mutton, 18,750 carcases of lamb. 135 tons of sundries and 150 crates of cheese.