SAFE IN PORT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18924, 12 February 1927, Page 17

SAFE IN PORT.

NORTHUMBERLAND BERTHED AT AUCKLAND. CARGO BEING DISCHARGED. (THE TREES Sp*ci»l Srrrtce.l AUCKLAND, February 11.

The disabled steamer Northumberland was brought safely into port today, and berthed at King's Wharf, preparatory to going into dock for repairs. The damaged vessel made her appearance round North Head at 11.30 a.m., •(■•aiping very slowly, with the Wellington salvage tug. Terawhiti, in attendance, and was tied up to the wharf v illou! a !;!?<•'', an hour later, with only tin' semblance of a INf. and not i.-r-ri" Him. I'm. IV •; dowi by the head. U >'.,-is evident that lii< measures taken lo ■■a!< ;; i':;rd the .-hip had proved en-tin-lv , PI,-acini!-. .-:• •, ij ; c-iion thai was itnilirni.il when : l l.i-an.r known that, the ;i!inipv were ~.. |. nger working. When the liner j.m'-i..! alongside there was "JTt't of water in No. L' hold, compared willi .115 ft wlioi- <!>•: put into Gisborne :i'ter (he ccl!isi...t with a submerged rock at I:;.;.!.• F.nd foreland, seventeen days .ig>. Kvervme was smiling when the New Zealand Shipping Co.'s oftieials and the underwriters' repn scilatives went on board the liner at 12.30 p.m. Satisfaction with the outcome of Hie Milvagfi operations and the safe arrival of the. vessel in port was expressed on every hand. Jn spite of untold difficulties and early discouragements, the collision mats, which had been strapped over the three holes in the steamer's hull, had held fast, the rise of water in the hold had been reduced to a minimum, and the passage from GisWnc had been _ accomplished within the estimated time, though the average speed had been reduced to 4.64 knots, to ensure that the mats would not be carried away. The trip was completed in 04 hours, a highly satisfactory result considering the steamer's condition.

Extra Precautions. Before leaving Gisborne for the second time every possible precaution had been taken to* gtiard against tho eventualities which caused her to put back into the roadstead on February 3rd. The collision mats were renewed and replaced with extra care and trouble. The lower hatch of NoT '2 hold was thoroughly scaled with pitch and covered with a layer of concrete to prevent water penetrating and spreading through the ship. The bulkheads on either sido of No. 2 hold were shored up to strengthen them against the water pressure, and an air cushion was set below the hatch, air being forced down by a compressor in an attempt to lower the water level. Before taking her departure the liner had a pronounced list and was well down at the bow. In order to correct these tendencies, the water tanks in the forepart of the ship were emptied and those aft were filled, while a quantity of heavy cargo, removed from No. 1 hold, was stacked on the after deck to counteract the foreward tip. These measures, apart from the reduction of the volume of water in the hold, very largely accounted for the oven Keel presented by the liner as sho steamed back into Everything being ready, the Northumberland sailed out of Gisborne at 4.45 p.m. on Tuesday last. In addition to her officers and crow, she carried Captain W. Olphert, marine superintendent for the New Zealand Shipping Company, and Captain C. C. Plunkett, Lloyd's surveyor at Auckland, both of whom wero in charge of the salvage operations at Gisborne, and Mr F. Goodman, of Gisborne. _ After clearing East Cape, light easterly winds were experienced, a very favourable circumstance, together with a moderate east and south-easterly swell. It was not considered necessary to hug the coastline crossing the Bay of Plenty, as the pumps were deemed competent to cope with any inrush of water should the collision mats and sealed hatches fail in their purpose. The presence of the Terawhiti lent further safety, as the tug would have been able to tow tho steamer inshore Bhould circumstances have arisen that would have necessitated the vessel being beached. The stcamor's eourse was therofore taken in the usual direction outside White Island. The tug kept within signalling distance of the liner the whole of the way, steaming from 300 to 400 yards on the Northumberland's quarter. Not once was it necessary to call upon her for assistance.

Minor Breach Sealed. The passage was not without its anxieties, however. A day out from Gisborne it was found that once again the water was gaining in the hold, but investigation showed that the breach was a comparatively minor one, and it was sealed after some difficulty. The remainder of the trip was without incident, it being necessary to keep only one pump in operation, and that only at intervals. Soon after the liner was tied up at the wharf to-day, a start was made with the task of removing the balance of the cargo from Nos. 1 and 3 holds. Part of the cargo from these holds was put out at Gisborne, and the remainder is only bow being discharged in order that the steamer may bo trimmed before going into dock. The cargo in No. 2 hold is, of course, still under water and scaled dowu under the hatch.

The Affected Cargo. It is expected that the liner will go into dock next week. Work is still proceeding at Calliope to prepare the dock for her reception. It is anticipated that a general averago will shortly be struck on the cargo salvaged from the disabled steamer. Auckland consignees will not be affected, as all the Auckland cargo was discharged at this port when the vessel arrived from Liverpool on January 13th. Napier, Wellington, Lyttclton, and Dunedin are ports to which the remainder of the cargo was destined. The tug Terawhiti berthed at Priuce's Wharf after the Northumberland arrived, and it is assumed she will return to Wellington as soon as she has replenished her bunkers.