THE SCHOONER KAEO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2565, 28 July 1909, Page 6

THE SCHOONER KAEO.

- ■ HOW SHE WAS RE-FLOATED

The schooner Kaeo, as was stated in yesterday’s issue, has completed the re-loading of her cargo, and left Tokomaru Bay for Coast bays and Auckland. Mr. George Moore, of the firm of Messrs Niccol and Co., Auckland, and who was sent down to supervise • the re-launching of the stranded schooner, arrived in Gisborne last evening, from Tokomaru, and gave a “Times” repoiyter some interesting particulars of the work. He describes it as an operation attended with much difficulty owing to the position in which the vessel was placed. >Vhen she was run ashore she went over a lot of great boulders, and finally rested on a papa ledge, listing heavily to port. This rock was in the centre of the vessel, with the stern overhanging, and there was a great danger of the back of the ship being broken, or at least of her being very badly strained, as the waves rolling in lifted the stern slightly, causing a nasty hump. It was found necessary to dig away a channel 18 inches in depth in the papa rock. A passage through the boulders was also cleared, this work being done by a party of Natives working by hand', and up to their armpits in water. When all was ready, 36 casks were fastened under the vessel to givo her a further lift, and with three tackles on to the wharf with treble purchase, and using her own power, the vessel gradually slid into deeper water, and was practically afloat, before high water. An idea of the immense strain and the strength of the tackle may he gained from the fact that the heavy timber work at the end of the wharf was carried awav at the first attempt. Thirty tons of the Kaeo’s cargo were put aboard her when close to the 1 wharf, and it then began to blow hard from the south-east. She was too,,.light to stand out to sea, so it was decided to seek the safe shelter to be found at the Waihi Cove, where the new freezing company are establishing works, and berthinJ accommodation for their power lighters? The shelter obtained enabled the schooner to lie snugly at anchor in calm water, indicating th'at the _ engineer’s opinion as to the suitability of this cove for a loading place in all weathers is likely to be fulfilled. Latex* on the remainder of the cargo was resliipped by means of the vessel s own boats. „ , -I -A With her 80 tons of cargo aboard, the Kaeo was Mot A leaking, . even after the buffetting and straining, she had undergone, the only apparent, effects of which were slight,leakages^m the butts. ' . ' ■ . , < It xvas 'Captain Skinner’s intention when leaving Tokomaru to work the remainder of the ports and the Bay of Plenty before proceeding on to Aiick-

land. On arrival at the northern port it will be necessary to dock the vessel for repairs. The false keel has all been chafed off by contact with the rocks, and in addition the copper sheathing lias all been scraped off the port side. The estimated amount of the damage is about £350., Mr. Moore, who has had considerable experience in the re-launching of stranded vessels, considers that the owners of the vessel are remarkably fortunate, in that she has'not Sustained further, and possibly irreparable damage. He pays a high tribute to the wonderful seamanship of Captain Skinner in beaching the vessel in such a favorable position under such difficult circumstances.