SALVAGE FROM WILTSHIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 6

SALVAGE FROM WILTSHIRE.

FIFTY TOMS ARRIVED TO-DAY.

STEAMERS FORE STEM DISAPPEARS.

Very little cargo has been brought to Auckland from the Wiltshire since Christmas owing chiefly to the heavy easterly weather that has been experienced. 'The last lot was brought by the launch Digger a month ago. and to-day the scow Katie S. arrived with 5H ton-, including, among other thing-. -0 crates and four iron tank* of crockery, al-o paint, machinery, steel plates, fire bricks. fi\e or six case* of plate glass, and ■"» number of large glass jars. The cargo i* being discharged this afternoon, and tomorrow the scow will return io the scene of the wreck.

The Katie S. was nine days at the wreck, and experieni-ed tine weather until Sunday night. It then became rough from the north-east and the Katie S.. as well as the scow Lena, were compelled to cast off their moorings and proceed to Tryphena for shelter. At Tryphena the Lena transferred her salvaged cargo to the Katie S., and the latter left for Auckland at :i p.m. yesterday, arriving at 8.30 a.m. to-day.

The diver*' launch Bea t v 'ueen. which has heen assisting in the work of salvage, left Tryphena yesterday morning for Rosalie Bay and the Lena left at noon as the weather was moderating and the wind had veered around to the south-west.

It is reported that the Wiltshire has now completely disappeared below the water line, the forecastle head, which was the only portion showing for some time past, having fallen away during the easterly storm last Thursday week. At low water the fore stem is visible ahoiit two feet. The mast and deck fittings have all carried away, and much rubbish has been deposited in the held* by, the pounding of the heavy sea*. The work of removing this debris has delayed salvage operations considerably, but it has almost all been lifted out by means of baskets, and the divers are now working in numbers 5 and 6 holds. Boxafter box of whisky has heen broken up by the rough weather, paint barrels have been battered about and flattened out. and some barrels of red ochre found by the divers have been minus lids and yottoms.