THE LEADING WIND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 23, 28 January 1891, Page 5

THE LEADING WIND.

RAISING THE SHIP.

The American ship Leading Wind still lies in the spot where she was scuttled and sunk, though it is confidently expected by Mr Bigelow, the contractor for raising and berthing her, that she will be afloat and empty of water about midnight to-night, everything favourable, or early to-morrow morning. The vessel is now lying in a peculiar position, and gives spectators on the wharf the impression of a sinking ship taking her last plunge. Her stern is cocked up high out of the water, and she is deep down by the head, owing to all the fore part of her hold being full of water, while the after part is partially pumped out. At a visit paid to the ship at noon to-day the water from below was pouring out in a steady stream through the pumps, and the vessel had risen considerably since yesterday. At sundown last nighfc she had risen some four or five feet by the stern, and her topsidea all round were also showing. As she rose gradually, however, she took a heavy list to port, leaning over at an angle of some 15 or 20 degrees. Her fore part was still on the ground. Late in the night the pumps had to be stopped, owing to a quantity of the flax in the hold rising and choking them. This caused great delay to the workers, but things were soon got right again, and the work of pumping; went on all day.

Mrßigelow stated to-day that the shipwaa afloat, and that as pumping goes on and the water is cob out the ship will right herself. As she lies at present the greater part of her port bulwarks, forward of the break of the poop, are under water, while her starboard side is high out of the water, and the efeerir shows about 12 feet below the taffrail above the water. Mr Bigelow expects to have the' ship pumped out by to-morrow morning, afloat on an even keel. She will be berthed at the Railway Wharf to discharge her damaged flax cargo.

The inquiry into the origin of the fire, which was to have been held to-day, has to be postponed until the vessel is discharged.