S.S. NORTHUMBERLAND

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18912, 29 January 1927, Page 15

S.S. NORTHUMBERLAND

* PROGRESS OF SALVAGE WORK. (PHXSS ASSOCUTIO* TEUGSAJI.) GISBORNE, January -3. Salvaging work on the Northumberland was continued to-day, the principal operation-being the adjustment of a sheepskin mat, forty feet square, .over the smaller mats at present o.ver the holes. This work was accomplished satisfactorily. Pumping .operations ;. are gradually reducing the water in the three ■ damaged holds, and; a powerful pulsator pump, which has now beenadded to the plant, is proving of much value. The . stops, to be . taken when, the patches on the hull are made fully, effective, are indefinite,' but in the meantime the bulkhead betweon No. 3 hold and the engine room is being reinforced,', and doubtless similar steps, •will .be taken with - the bulkheads .between Nos. 1 and,, 2 >nd.\betiveen' 2 : an 4 3 when the level of ttie water haS'-been sufficiently lowered. The vessel will be taken to Auckland for .'dry docking probably, and. it ..will be necessary to.make .temporary rfepairs strong enough to withstand the strain of the trip from Gisborne to the northern port. : •• whether sfye...will be allowed to. leave the. roadstead until the patching on the outside" is backed by something .substantial on tile inside of the Hull. ' Meanwhile the situation .will be complicated seriously'if bad weather intervenes. .No arrangements Ijave boon made as yet with regard to the further removal of cargo, though it is likely that a considerable quantity will have to be brought ashore to free thc .hold space for salvage work.