SALVAGE SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 237, 6 October 1932, Page 14

SALVAGE SERVICES.

RESCUE OF MOTOR VESSEL.

ARGUS OWNERS TO PAY £1500.

THIRD TO GABRIELLA'S CREW.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

The good work done by the officers and crew of the Union Steam Ship Company's steamer Gabriella in rescuing the motor vessel Argus on February 20, 21 and 22 last in the vicinity of Cape Turnagain, in Cook Strait, near the, entrance to Wellington Harbour, was referred to in the Supreme Court to-day, when an apportionment of the salvage money was agreed to and entered by Mr. Justice Ostler.

Counsel for the Union Company said that the owners of the Argus, the Holm Shipping Company, had agreed to pay £1500 in all, and the Union Company had decided that the expense of salvaging the Argus was £300.- Of the remainder, twothirds would go to the owners and onethird, £400, to the master and the crew of the Gabriella. Of this sum £100 would go to the master and the remainder to the other officers, engineers and crew of the Gabriella, whose total personnel numbered 28. It had been agreed that a double share should go to the deck ratings, as the rescue was a difficult one, entailing the use of rockets. Also, a good deal of care had to be exercised by the deck ratings in constantly watching the towropes. Counsel for the master and crew of the Gabriella said the Union Company had treated them generously. Judgment was entered by consent for £1500 against the Holm Company, owners of the Argus. Solicitors' fees, £5 5/, and Court costs, £1 10/, were ordered to be paid by the Union Company. It was stated by counsel for the Union Company that the usual practice was for the ownere of a rescuing vessel to take three-fourths of the salvage money and allow one-fourth to the master and crew, but in this case the Union Company had allowed the master and crew one-third.

The Argus, having been at sea since September, bound from England to Wellington, via Papeete, . in ballast, anchored in the Napier roadstead on Friday, February 19, having run out of fresh provisions and being in need of oil for her Diesel engines. She left Napier the same evening, but experienced engine trouble about 1 a.m. on Saturday when she was about 31 miles south of Napier. By mid-day she had drifted in a strong gale and heavy sea to within a quarter of a mile of a reef off Black Head, and it was in this position that the Gabriella found her. A tow-line was got on board with difficulty, and she was towed for 36 hours while repairs were being effected to the engine. About 6 a.m. on Monday the tow-line carried away, but by this time the Argus was able to continue the voyage under her own power, and she arrived at Wellington on the Monday evening.