THE WAIKOUAITI.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 44, 1 December 1939, Page 7

THE WAIKOUAITI.

ABANDONED TO UNDERWRITERS. SOME CARGO MAY BE SALVAGED. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, November 30. The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd., announces that its steamer Waikouaiti, which is ashore at Dog Island in Foveaux Strait, has been abandoned to the underwriters. If the weather keeps fine, however, an attempt will probably be made to salvage some of the cargo from the after end of the ship, which is still dry. Any salvage work done will have to conserve the interests of the owners of the cargo, pending instructions from them. NO CHANCE IN POSITION. WIRELESS EQUIPMENT REMOVED. INVERCARGILL, November 30. The position of the Waikouaiti was unchanged .to-night, except that she had, settled down a little more, and at high tide the water covered numbers one and two hatches. This . afternoon the pilot launch went out with the chief wireless operator, and Lloyd’s agent. They brought off the ship’s wireless gear, which was recently installed at Sydney at a cost of £9OO, most of the ship’s stores, and a good deal of portable gear from the decks. Tho upper part of the cargo in one hold is apparently Christmas toys, as to-day hundreds of kewpie dolls were floating round the vessel. The hardwood piles on deck have begun to loosen, and it is understood that an arrangement has been made to remove them if there is danger of their coming adrift, as they would be a menace to shipping. To-morrow morning an attempt will be' made by an oyster boat to remove the more valuable cargo.

The Bluff Waterside Workers’ Union held a special meeting to-day and decided to work the vessel as a salvage job if requested.