THE KAEO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2562, 24 July 1909, Page 5

THE KAEO.

RE-FLOATED YESTERDAY

LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE VESSEL

The auxiliary schooner Kaeo, which a fortnight ago to-day u*as stranded at Tokomaru Bay, was successfully rerloated on the full tide yesterday morning, about 10 o’clock, being hauled out into deep water by means of block and tackle from her temporary berth at the jetty.

It will doubtless be remembered that after weathering a terrible storm while anchored in Tokomaru Bay, on the night of the 9th ult-., Captain Skinner decided, as his anchors were dragging slightly,- and he could not possibly get out to sea, that the only way to save the vessel and the lives of those on board was to run her ashore. The excellent manner in which this was done has already been related in the “Times,” and now 'the staunch little craft is afloat once more.

As far as can yet Be ascertained, little serious damage has been done to the vessel, and she was expected to sail last night or early this morning in continuance of her voyage to Auckland. On arrival at the northern port she will probably be docked, in order to exactly ascertain the extent of the injuries to her keel and for the necessary repairs. When the vessel was run ashore her two anchors were slipped and left in the bav. There was no time to buoy them, and several attempts to recover them’ since by means of dragging failed, until vesterday a Native succeeded in hooking on to one of them, which was afterwards got aboard the schooner. Very fortunately for the schooner, and her owners, the weather has been favorable since the beaching of the schooner, and she .was refloated none too soon, as all day yesterday the wind was blowing with considerable force front the south-east, and a fairly heavy sea was running in the afternoon.