POSITION WORSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1939, Page 6

POSITION WORSE

PORT BOWEN MOVES INSHORE MOORING LINES GIVE WAY WEATHER HOLDING UP WORK TODAY. CARGO TO BE DUMPED. (By Telegraph— Press Association.) WANGANUI. This Day. During the night two of three lines attached to mushroom anchors carried away; also the starboard anchor. A westerly wind since Saturday lias increased the sea and heavy breakers are now pounding the I’ort Bowen, sometimes rising as high as the bridge and sweeping the decks. The vessel appears to have drifted to within 200 yards of the shore. Because of the big sea it is impossible for the tugs to work today and no lightering work is being done. A gang of men, taken out yesterday to assist in dumping coal, is still aboard, the sea being too rough to allow of their being brought in. Bearings taken at the pilot station indicate clearly that the Port Bowen has moved inshore. As soon as the vessel can be worked it is proposed to dump the remainder of her cargo of wool and also of mutton.

AN EARLIER REPORT LINER MOVED SLIGHTLY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WANGANUI, July 23. This afternoon, with two tugs operating, it was obvious that the ship was moving slightly and hopes have been raised that she will be got off if conditions remain favourable. Spring tides develop at the end of July, and continue for some days into August. If a wait till then is necessary the' stranded vessel will be at the mercy of any storms which may come, but precautionary measures have been taken to anchor her against the prevailing wind and the set of the tide, and the tugs will be constantly at hand to prevent her being driven further in shore. Suffering injuries to his back, when he fell down a hatch of the Welling-' ton tug, Terawhiti, a fireman, Charles Hatton, was brought ashore yesterday afternoon and taken by the Free Ambulance to hospital. His condition tonight was reported to be comfortable.

Though there were heavy rain squalls here today, Castlecliff was visited by more than 4000 people, to see the stranded liner, Port Bowen, on the beach. The city council ran a special service to the beach. There was a stream of motor traffic all day long, some motorists travelling 50 miles to see the ship. All parking area were packed. LYTTELTON TUG HIRED. CHRISTCHURCH, July 23. The Lyttelton Harbour Board’s new tug Lyttelton II was dispatched at 4.30 p.m. today for Wanganui under a towing hire to the Port Line. She will assist in attempts to refloat the stranded Port Bowen.