STILL ON THE BEACH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1939, Page 6

STILL ON THE BEACH

PORT BOWEN NOT MOVED YET WATERSIDERS TAKEN ASHORE. NO TOWING ATTEMPTED TODAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) 'WANGANUI, This Day. Sixty-six watersiders who had been on the Port Bowen since Sunday were brought qshore in one of the vessel’s lifeboats before noon today, fifteen at a time. An officer of the Port Bowen was in charge of the lifeboat, which was guided by lines. Crews from the staffs of lighters and tugs assisted in the operations. Pounded all day yesterday by waves, the liner is now resting steady about 100 yards off shore. She is broadside on to the beach, with a heavy list to starboard. Despite the battering to which she was subjected yesterday, the Port Bowen is reported to be showing no sign of structural damage and has not developed a leak. As the ship's condensers were out of action yesterday, there was a shortage of water aboard and the Wanganui men marooned on her had no water to drink until they came ashore today.

A line is now rigged between the vessel and the shore to enable any supplies needed to be sent out.

The tugs were again unable to approach the Port Bowen today, and before they start again on the stranded vessel soundings will be taken. A heavy timber structure to hold the line between the ship and the shore is being built. Arrangements are being made to dump wool and meat.