Lop-Sided, But She Made It

Residents of Nukualofa were astonished to see the 7,460-ton steamer “Lakemba” come into port on November 18, with what appeared to be a list to port of about 17 degrees. The local harbourmaster was in grim control, and the ship was answering in weird manoeuvres to the helm.

The 85 passengers on board had experienced four days of lop sided travel, with water rationing and no beer!

The ship apparently lost stability when water from the lower tanks had to be pumped to the engine room, owing to boiler trouble. With a deck reavily laden with timber, the result was a big list to port and some times a flip over to starboard. The list, at one stage, increased to 21 degrees. Consequently, water ran up through the waste pipes and passengers in the bottom deck found their cabins awash and their articles afloat.

The water tanks were replenished by the Tonga Government’s tug.

Again at her correct angle afloat, unloading took place. The "Lakemba ”, which is owned by Pacific Shipowners Ltd., Suva, sailed for Fiji on November 22. —Dorothy Lavin.