Auke Visser´s ESSO Tankvaart Mij. Site | home
STEAMSHIP SPAIN LA HESBAYE'S RUDDER
The New York Times, March 13, 1895, Wednesday
The Tank, Breaking Her Steering Gear, is Towing the Natlonal Liner.
The steamship "Berlin", from Southampton, which arrived here yesterday, reports that in latitude 42 degrees 25 minutes, longitude 51 degrees 50 minutes, Saturday, March 9, she passed the Dutch oil tank steamship "La Hesbaye" towing the National Line steamship Spain. Signals were exchanged between the "Berlin" and the "Spain", and it was learned that "La Hesbaye" had broken her steering-gear, and while hove to bad been sighted by the "Spain", which went to her assistance.
Capt. Griffith of the "Spain" consented to allow his vessel to be towed by the oil tank steamship, and thus to act as a clumsy but effective rudder.
The "Spain" signaled that all hands were well. It will be several days before the two ships reach port. "La Hesbaye" is bound from Antwerp for New-York in water ballast. Her agent here is C.H. Randerbrock.
|
The New York Times, March 17, 1895, Sunday
LA HESBAYE SAFE IN PORT.
The Spain Acted as a Rudder for the Disabled Steamship - A Rough Experience.
The National Line steamer "Spain", which had been reported by the steamer "Berlin" on March 9, in tow of the Dutch tank steamer "La Hesbaye", and acting as rudder for the latter, arrived at the bar at 4 P. M. yester-day, and, after seeing her consort safely anchored outside the whistling buoy, proceeded to Quarantine, where she anchored at 8:30 P. M. Capt. W.A. Griffiths, the veteran commander of the "Spain", told the story of the long, weary tow. The "Spain" left London Feb. 25, and all went well until March 7, in latitude 42 degrees 60 minutes and longitude 49 degrees 26 minutes, when the officer of the watch reported a steamer hove to, with signals flying. The "Spain" bore down and learned she was the Dutch oil tank "La Hesbaye", Capt. Eckhoff, from Antwerp for NewYork, with rudder and rudderpost gone.
A boat was lowered from the oil tank and came alongside, and asked if the "Spain" would consent to be tow-ed and act as rudder. Capt. Griffiths agreed, and the boat returned and brought the end of a hawser, which was made fast to the knightheads on the "Spain's" bow.
The weather began to look threatening, and before 9 P. M. a fresh south-west gale was blowing and driving down a thick fog.
The hawser parted, and as it was too thick to see much, the vessels lay by until morning. At daylight a new arangement of the towing apparatus was made, which proved more satisfactory, but the same day the haw-ser again parted and was again made fast. This time it lasted until the 14th, when, in a moderate gale and rainstorm, it again parted. The crew of "La Hesbaye" did at the small-boat work. When under way, the "Spain's" engines were kept going, but not so fast as to slack the strain on the hawser. On the night of the 14th a strong gale set in, but moderated again the next day. Friday night it was very thick weather, with much snow and hail, and it was difficult to see "La Hesbaye's" lights so as to steer her. At daylight Thursday the White Star liner "Britannic" went rushing by, bound to this port. She merely dipped her flags to the "Spain" and did not pause to make sure of the condition of things, and so reported the "Spain" disabled and in tow.
All hands are well on both ships. Capt. Griffiths says he has no idea what the salvage will be. He says he found a steamer in very hard luck and was glad to be of service to her. He would expect the same courtesy at the hands of another Captain were the conditions the same.
|
The New York Times, March 18, 1895, Monday
Four Tugs Brought Her Up.
The Dutch oil tank steamer "La Hesbaye", which was towed to this port by the National Line steamer "Spain", and anchored outside of the bar, came to the city yesterday morning with the assistance of four tugs. The "C.E. Evarts", acting as rudder, towed astern, the "Lewis Pulver" had a line out and preceded the disabled steamer, while the "E.M. MlIIard" and the "Commander" towed alongside.
La Hesbaye will be taken to the Erie Basin and docked for repairs.
|