Alexander and Arapawa

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Below is an extract from "The Anchor Foundry - A History", by Pat W. Win, providing a detailed account of the rescue of "Arapawa" by "Alexander" at the Manukau Bar on 28 October 1928.

I have tried in vain to contact Pat Win, author and copyright holder of "The Anchor Foundry - A History", to secure permission to publish the below.

If there are any objections to it appearing here, please contact me (refer the home page) and I will remove the page soonest.

Alexander

Sourced from Alexander Turnbull Library via www.shipspotting.com

Arapawa

Sourced from Alexander Turnbull Library, reference 12129 1/2

TSS "Alexander" was in the news again in 1928 when she rescued the Northern Steam Ship Company's steamer, "Arapawa", from the Manukau Bar.

"Arapawa" sailed from Wanganui for Onehunga, arriving at the Manukau just before 9am on 28 October to find the sea breaking heavily on the bar.

Her captain and officers agreed that he could cross safely and the shore signal station on the Manukau Heads signalled its consent.

"Arapawa" went through the first set of breakers with no difficulty, although her engine raced badly when her stern rose and her propeller lifted out of the water.

She then went through the second line of breakers where her engine and propeller raced again. Then there was "a deafening sound of splintering from the engine room". The deck officers thought she had struck.

The Second Engineer and his fireman were on watch where, since the engine room telegraph was on 'stand by', the engineer was at the engine controls.

The explosion was caused by a bottom end bolt (one of the two securing the bottom end bearing to the crankshaft) shearing off. When the piston continued its upward stroke it exploded through the cylinder cover, sending broken pieces of cast iron ricocheting around the engine room. The two men were lucky to be uninjured.

With her main engine out of action, "Arapawa", just clear of the inner bar, was buffeted by the breakers with such force that her stern rails were twisted. The seamen on deck were forced to hang on for their lives.

Then, with the wind and sea behind her, she was washed over the bar to where she was able to anchor and bring her bows to the wind. This saved her from foundering.

When the tide turned the ebb carried her onto the inner bar where, beam on, she was pounded by the breakers. "Great seas buried the decks every few minutes, flooded the engine room, the cook's galley and loosened hatches which were quickly secured by order of the captain".

Distress signals were hoisted and noted by the signalman five miles away.

Down below, the engineers, under the direction of the Chief, W. La Roche, tried to get the main engine running on the two undamaged cylinders, but this was prevented by the seas pouring into the engine room and the vicious motion of the ship.

Captain Pert and the Mate, R. Savage, were concerned that the anchors would drag, so, in the hope that the westerly wind might carry the vessel into the harbour, sails were rigged using tarpaulins.

Unfortunately, when the anchors were hove up she drifted further into the breakers because the ebb tide was stronger than the wind. Again the anchors were laid and she signalled for assistance.

TSS "Alexander" was about to depart Onehunga for Nelson when the signal station advised her Master, Captain Maylen, that the bar was not safe to cross until half tide at 4pm.

It also warned that "Arapawa" was anchored just in the break on the outer bar. Maylen then received a call from Captain Hammon, the General Manager of the Northern Steam Ship Comapny, asking him to render aid.

As "Alexander" steamed to the anchorage off Huia Bank (just inside the bar) to await half tide, Maylen noted the signal to "Arapawa" reading, "Boat coming to your assistance".

Realising that "Alexander" was committed to the rescue, he continued to the bar and found "Arapawa" in a perilous situation. The freshening westerly was bringing up a heavy break on the inner bar where the stricken ship lay abeam the surf, flying a distress signal and listing at fifteen degrees with seas breaking over her fore and aft.

"Alexander" was abeam "Arapawa" by 2pm to find her now south of the line of beacons and lying head to the seas. The first attempt to float a line to her failed - the rising seas too dangerous for a second try.

"Alexander" took two heavy seas aboard, then, realising that it was too dangerous to turn his ship (and despite the signal 'Bar dangerous' from the signal station), Maylen steamed through the breakers to the open sea before turning "Alexander" for an inward run to pass a line.

About 2.50pm, on the turn of the tide, "Arapawa" swung head to the sea, and "Alexander" succeeded in passing a line to take her in tow at dead slow speed.

At 3.30pm, about a mile from Paratutai, the tow line parted and "Arapawa" started to drift towards the Middle Bank. "Alexander" quickly secured her with a 5.5 inch cable, then towed her into harbour.

Abeam Huia Bank the towline was dropped. "Alexander" came alongside "Arapawa", making fast and reaching Onehunga at 6.40pm. Despite the serious buffeting on the bar, "Alexander" had little damage. Captain Maylen's seamanship had been superb.

Harbour Incidents