SALVAGE CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 204, 29 August 1928, Page 10

SALVAGE CLAIM.

"SHIP NEVER IN DANGER." CAPTAIN'S ASSERTION. JUDGE RESERVES DECISION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The hearing of the claim by the Wanganui Harbour Board against the Canterbury Steamship Company for £5000 for salvage in respect of the tug Kahanui's services in going to the assistance of the coastal vessel Gale on April 20 ended to-day. Mr. Justice Sim reserved his decision.. Defendants contended that the claim was preposterous, and, if granted, the Gale would be "salved out of herself." It was stated that no anxiety was felt by those on board, and that the crew went to bed as usual, and the usual watches were kept. Christopher Vincent Stanisch, captain of the Gale, said the vessel was in no danger at any time. His signal to the Kahanui was not for help, but was a request to know if the captain of the Kahanui had any orders for him. He described the sea and wind as moderate. Cross-examined, witness said when the line parted several attempts were made bv the Terawhiti to get another one on board, but they were unsuccessful on account of the weather. He denied that the Terawhiti ran into him in one of the attempts, but admitted that she ran across the Gale's bows. The chief officer of the Terawhiti admitted that when a line could not be got aboard the Gale the captain of the Terawhiti set a course which took the Terawhiti 35 miles away from the Gale, and that the captain was not now with the company.

Jack Francis Millward, of the firm of agents at Wanganui for the Gale, said he asked the secretary of the Harbour Beard why he had not informed witness of the Kahanui's going out, and received the reply: "Salvage, you know, Jack— salvage."