MAHENO'S FATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 178, 30 July 1935, Page 10

MAHENO'S FATE.

HOPELESS WRECK. HEAVY LOSS TO JAPANESE. tITTEE CHANCE OF SALVAGE, (•From.' Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNTEY, July 23. As the Maheno was so long and well known in Xew Zealand waters her ultimate fate should ''he of some public interest over there. Driven on to the Queensland coast ~iii n. terrific cyclone while being towed across the Pacific to Japan, she now lies a hopeless wreck on the sandy beach at Fraser Island. The two Japanese captains in command of thu Maheno and the Oonah. which was towing her. soon decided that it would be impossible to get her off without very expensive salvage operations, which would probably cost far more than the hull is worth. The commander of the Carlock, the powerful tug sent out from Brisbane in response to the Japanese appeal for help, soon'recognised the hopelessness of .the position. But even if salving operations could have been orgaiiised effectively, it is doubtful if tugs could have reachcd the wreck in time. Within two or three days of stranding the Maheno had a heavy list, a hole had been driven into the engine room by pounding on the bcach, and the harbourmaster of Maryborough, who came to Fraser Island to inspect the -wreck, decided that the Maheno's back was already broken. As she stands she would not be worth more than £2000 to ship-breakers, and salvage would probably cost much more than this. Attempt to Save Fittings. The latest news is to the effect that the Japanese will try to save all the fittings from the wreck and transport them across Fraser Island by bullock dray to be picked "up by lighter and transhipped to the Oonali. To prevent the Maheno-Jrom tipping..' ov6r too' soon shore anchors have, been laid, which may keep her upright for a few days. But there is not much hope of saving anything of real- value. The Japanese bought °the Maheno \ from the Union Company for £11,750, payable in London —amounting.'to about £15,000 in Australian money. If to this sum is added the heavy expense of taking delivery and towing up to the time of the week, thfe total' outlay fbr the Japanese has been more than £17,000, and it seems that they will have little to show as a-set-off. If any enterprising salvage company should intervene and succeed in dragging the Maheno off the beach, it will have to settle matters with, the Federal Receiver of Wrecks, who would adjust the rival claims of the salvage company and the Japanese owners. But there seems only a very remote possibility of this and we must regretfully conclude that we have seen the last of the Maheno.