The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1914-08-04
HITS SAND BANK
IN MID CHANNEL

(From Monaay AdvertIsef. }

hAANA" ANANuuNI nNNNANAHNAf/
While steaming into the harbor I'M
der q slow bell yesterday morning, the
Matson Navigation Company's steam.
or Lurline ran aground on sand
bank on the EVA side Of the harbor
entrance between Nos. / and 3 buoys.
The vessel slid on the bank without
a jar and was hard and fast amid
ships when the signal was given for as
sistanee. The Navy ting Navajo in
command Of Captain Meters was the
first TO respond, promptly followed BY
the lighthouse tender Kukui and the
Matson tug Intrepid. Lines were
made fast to the Lurline, and the three.
vessels started pulling in. unison. The
towlino Of the Navajo snapped and
proceedings were held up Tor some
time A heavy kodge anchor was put
out and with the Navajo, Kukui and
Intrepid towing together in addition
70 the Lurline's own power the vessel
slid of the bank into deep water at
ten.thirty clock yesterday morning.
II was difficult at first TO understand
how the Lurline went aground as she
was well within the channel as marked
by the harbof buoys. The chart shows
depth Of water here Of thirty-two
feet at low water. The Lurline was
drawing fifteen feet forward and
twenty-five aft when the accident oc-
cured When the Lurline was hauled
into deep water her propeller got
afoul Of one Of the towing lines which
necessitated her being towcd to Pier
l6 by the Intrepid.
John Drew, general manager for the
Matson Navigation Company at this
port. ordered an immediate survey to
BE- made of the vessel = hull aud divers
were sent down yesterday afternoon.
They made a report to Capt. John
Macauley and Chief Engineer Muir
head wEo had been appointed by the
as survey board, last
night in which they stated that no
damage Of any nature had occurred TO
the vessels hull
The inspection showed that there was
a section Of her hull amidships on the
stafbosrd side which showed evidence
that the vessel had been lying on a
sandbank. What is puzzling shipping
men is how this sandbank formed in
the channel. One theory is that ow'
ing TO the high winds prevailing for
the past two days and the heavy swell
running that section Of the bank on
the EVA side of the harbor entrance
has slipped off into deep water. This
Is accounted for by the fact that the
dredging operations going on in the
channel are almost opposite to where the
Lurline went aground and II is thought
that these dredging operations have
been primarily the tause Of this cave
in. An investigation will be made to-
day. by the harbor commissioners.
The Lurline had cargo Of 1000 tons
Of sugar and pineapples aboard when
she went aground, which had been
picked up at Hilo and Kahului. II was
the intention Of the agents to com.
mence loading the balance Of large
cargo for the Lurline yesterday morn.
ing, but owing TO the accident no work
was done upon the vessel yesterday UNI
ill report had been made by the sur
vey board. This viii not delay the
Lurline in departing for San Francisco
tomorrow afternoon at four o'clock,
however, as extra gangs Of steyedoresl
will be put TO work today and tonight
and work will be rushed In getting the
big cargo aboard.
No blame for the running aground Of
the Lurline is placed upon Captain Ed
wards. who is in command Of the yes
sci, as the report Of the survey board
shows that he was well within channel
~, A.. s.,hor Ala anef1anf oaeurrad