THE STATE OF THE RIVER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2554, 16 July 1909, Page 4

THE STATE OF THE RIVER

SERIOUS ,I>ELA )L TO SHARPING. For close on a week now the state of the river .channel has been most■ u favorable, owing to being bduA up the result ot tne recent, heavyj iu.s- - tender on tiunuay was deuyea w several hours through not being to get away iioni tne whaix, but y teiuay morning the position was Jversed, in so lar the Tuatea, while able to proceed to tender the s.s. iaia wera from south, was unable to attempt to negotiate tne channel on in inward journey, and was compelled to anchor in the bay about a quaitei ol a mile from tne end ol the breakwater, and await the rising ot the tide to a su.ncient extent to at least minimi'/ * the risk oi becoming hard and fast m the channel, or, worst still, or bumping sufficiently to lose the headway oi the vessel, in which case shotfrould be dashed against either the groyne ox tho breakwater and jirobably seriously damaged. ~ Tiie Tarawera arrived from papier at about 1.80 a.m., nearly a full day behind her schedule time, and the worlc of transhipping her cargo was ccmmenced soon afterwards in order that tho vessel might get away lor Auckland as soon as her passengers and their 1 uggage had been transferred to tno tender. The Tuatea left the wharf at 6 a.m. with the outward passengers, and bumped heavily going out at halftitle. She got alongside about b.dU a.m., and the. incoming passengers made rt.adv to come ashore. It was then decided by the manager of the U.S.S. Co that as the tide was running out that it was useless to attempt the return trip, so breakfast was provided for the passengers, and the tender remained alongside the bigger vessel. A number of the passengers expressed their warm approval of the action of the shipping authorities in providing breakfast. but the inevitable grumblers were also in evidence, one gentleman in particular being loud in his expressions or disapproval at having to eat his breakfast on tho ship instead of, as he had anticipated, on shore. After breakfast, the passengers and their luggage were got aboard the tender, and to the relief of many she left the ship and headed towards the entrance to the river. Any hopes they might have, had of a speedy landing were soon dispelled, and when within a quarter of a mile from the end of the breakwater, they were horrified to hear the rattle of the cable as the anchor was let go and the engines were stopped. There tho vessel lay, it being considered hopeless to attempt to come up the river with the tide as it was.

Prior to the Tuatea leaving the wharf an arrangement had been made with the Harbor Board officials to come out in the Board’s launch in the event of the tender getting aground, and when she was anchored, the whistle was sounded several times to acquaint those on shore that they were required. The signals had no result for a while, but after a time the launch was seen coming out to the tender. It had been anticipated-that the launch would convey the passengers, over sixty in number, to the wharf, in the event of any mishap, but .Captain Gumming, the harbormaster, refused to do this, evidently considering the risk too great owing to the heavy roll from the southward. With their last hope of quickly getting ashore vanished, the passengers resigned themselves to their enforced wait, .and the chief topic of conversation amongst those on board the Tuatea was, naturally, the Gisborne harbor, about which many most uncomplimentary remarks were passed. There is, however, an end to all things, and as the time worn on, the tide rose up, so that shortly before noon it was considered safe to attempt the passage. The tender entered the channel, and striking here and there was compelled to proceed very slowly, but although no further stoppage took place, the speed of the journey may be gauged from the fact that from the time the vessel entered the channel it was fifteen mnutes before she was alongside the town wharf, where the passengers were finally landed soon after noon, instead of about 7.30 as liad been anticipated. While the Tuatea was waiting to come up the river, matters were none too favorable with the Tarawera. Two hawsers bad become foul of the propeller, and it was only after an hour’s work that they became free and the vessel was enabled to proceed on her long delayed journey to Auckland. Still another vessel, however, was, and is, suffering on account of the impossibility of navigating the channel. The U.S-S. Co.’s Squall, which arrived in the bay from Auckland on Wednesday afternoon, was too late for the tide and was compelled to anchor in the bay. She was to have come up yesterday morning, and again yesterday afternoon, but- on each occasion was prevented from doing so, as the soundings showed that the attempt would bo attended with considerable risk. Captain Benton decided to remain where he was, and, if possible, the vessel will be brought up alongside the wharf some time to-dav. If the attempt is successful, the vessel will be despatched for Auckland on Saturday night with a cargo of sheep, instead of getting away last evening, which she would have done, under ordinary conditions.