SALVAGE OPERATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 45, 2 December 1939, Page 7

SALVAGE OPERATIONS.

ATTEMPT ON THE WAIKOUAITI. THE WEATHER REMAINS CALM. (Per Press Association). INVERCARGILL, December 1. An attempt to salvage the cargo from the after holds of the Waikouaiti is being made this afternoon. The oyster trawler Marina is engaged for the preliminary work. It is proposed to run a steel wire from the ship to the trawler’s powerful winch. If a heavy swell makes this impracticable flexible steam piping, will be connected from the trawler’s boiler to the ship’s winch. The weather remains fine and; the sea calm, but if a storm rises operations will have to be abandoned. A large number of watersiders waited the call for salvage operations this morning, but aftea* consultation between Mr (the TJnon Company’s representative), Union officials and tile Chief Officer of the steamer, it was decided to postpone the call to 1 iJ.iii. The groceries will bo easily salvaged, but difficulty is expected witin the cargo of steel. There is danger of the hajrdwood timber breaking loose and being a menaced to shipping, so endeavours will bo made to form it into rafts to be towed to Bluff.

Contrary to expectations the weather so far lias remained calm, and should facilitate salvage efforts*. A gang of a dozen men signed on this afternoon to' leave for the wreck by the Marina. Another gang of 12 was told off to lie available at 4 o'clock to-mor-row morning if. required. Foul* others wore picked to land cargo on. the wharf.

Rates of pay agreed on at a conference of shipping representatives and the men were 12s an bom* at the wreck and 6s an hour on the wharf.

Reports indicate that the ship is disintegrating. The foremast is in danger of going overboard.