EFFORTS TO REFLOAT WANGANELLA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25088, 21 January 1947, Page 8

EFFORTS TO REFLOAT WANGANELLA

Tugs And Equipment At Wellington LINER MAKING SOME WATER (P.A.) WELLINGTON. January 20. A supreme effort will be made to-morrow to free the Wanganella from her desperate position on Barretts’ Reef, on which she ran at 11.45 o’clock on Sunday night. To-day all available resources were being mustered for the effort, which means the life of a valuable vessel and a great deal to the intercolonial trade. Although the resources seem puny for so great a task, no effort has been spared to salvage the vessel. The tug Kahanui is steaming at full speed from Wanganui, but as it is unlikely that she will reach Wellington before 10 a.m. it is possible that the main salvage attempt will not be made until high tide tomorrow afternoon. The Wellington tugs. Terawhiti and Toia, laboured vainly this morning and this afternoon to shift the vessel. At 9 o’clock to-night three pumps were taken out, two capable of shifting 700 gallons a minute and one of 500 gallons a minute. This evening salvage gear was secured from the Union Steam Ship Company, and two heavy anchors were taken to the scene of the stranding. These were to be put out at the stern of the vessel so that she could haul on them with her own power while the tugs pulled on hawsers. It was known that the vessel was making some water, and reports stated that two holds were affected. The possibility existed of a severe holing of the hull, which might prove serious if the vessel were removed from the cradle <m the reef. Two divers with full complements of helpers were sent out to investigate the position. If necessary they could plug large holes.

At the floating dock where measurements of the Wanganella were available, blocks were put in position and all arrangements made for receiving the ship if the salvage operation proves successful. All this evening, the main part of the crew, which remained on board, worked under the direction of the ship’s master (Captain R. Darroch) in preparation for the next tussle. A great deal depends on the weather, and experienced seamen took the view that a slight swell from the south would be a help. Others held that conditions in the afternoon gave no indication that the vessel would rise and fall. They maintained that she went ashore at half-tide empty of cargo, and that at the fall following the tide only the stern rose, and that but little. Inquiry at the weather bureau showed that fresh southerly winds with showers were likely to-night, followed by milder southerlies for two days. Such weather would appear to be favourable to salvage operations. These operations, if successful, will mean, in the opinion of a marine authority, a saving of £1,500,000 which is what the Wanganella is believed to be worth as a whole ship. I’he Wanganella, on making Wellington Heads, appeared to hit what is known as the outer rock when.sweeping into the harbour. The night was completely dark, but clear, and the sea almost a flat calm. The accident is believed to been notified to the Harbour Board by its signalman at Beacon Hill, above Seatoun. The harbourmaster dispatched the tugs Toia and Terawhiti to assist, and the harbour ferry Cobar and the tug Natone to take off the passengers. The ship lay on the reef in the dark, brilliantly lighted from every porthole, and from lights in her superstructure. High in her rigging two red lights glowed on the masthead, signifying a ship in danger. The coastal vessel Gale, proceeding to sea from Wellington, was the first ship on the scene. She cruised in the vicinity until the arrival of the first of the tugs. The other tugs followed at short intervals, and also a Harbour Board pilot launch. ' The Wanganella was carrying no cargo. Rescue of Passengers Early this morning small vessels from the port took off the Wanganella’s passengers, totalling nearly 400, without mishap. The passengers were brought to Queen’s Wharf, where an ordinary Customs inspection was made. The only thing to suggest that there wa; an emergency was the distribution of refreshments at the wharf to passengers who landed with the bare necessities as their only luggage. The passengers came ashore in brilliant sunshine, much in the manner of persons returning from a harbour excursion. This spectacle of unworried passengers disembarking from * 10

a.m. onwards from small vessels nad the same sense of unreality as the disaster itself. The bump was felt by nearly all on board when the ship struck the reef, but it was insufficient to cause alarm or disturb some sleepers. The passengers generally did not realise that the Wanganella had struck Barrett’s Reef and was in a position which might have been perilous in unfavourable weather. However, within a few minutes a report of what had happened spread through the ship, and incredulous passengers assembled on deck wearing life jackets on instructions from members of the crew. The passengers’ reactions were typi fled by a visitor from Brisbane, Miss E. L. Dickson, who said: “I had just retired and put out the light. There was a shock, but it really did not seem alarming. Indeed, I thought the anchor had been dropped, and I remarked to another woman in the cabin, ‘Haven’t we arrived in port early.’ Then a steward came around and said we must put on lifejackets. We all went up in deck. There was not the slightest sign of panic. Everybody was calm, good-humoured, and there was hot tea for all within five minutes, it seemed. It was quite a harmless sort of shipwreck, and I went down to the cabin after a while to finish my packing. The worst thing is that everyone had a sleepless night " Accommodation tor Travellers The passengers’ troubles began when they were ashore. Those whose destination was Wellington and who had accommodation reserved were fortu-

nate. Hotels in the city had a hectic time this morning turning down requests for accommodation. Most hotels were fully booked by racegoers, and all that could be offered in many cases was a wash and a rest in a lounge. The Tourist and Police Departments and the Huddart-Parker Company all did their utmost to assist the stranded passengers* By an arrangement between the company and the Air Department, a number of men will be accommodated at the Shelly Bay air base, and some of the women will go to a women’s hostel at Worser Bay. The Huddart-Parker Company’s offices were besieged by persons who were to join the Wanganella at Wellington this week. Everything possible is being done by the company for them and for passengers brought ashore to-day. An official of the company’ went out to the Wanganella early this morning

and again before noon, together with a Lloyd’s surveyor. It was stated to-day that passengers who had booked by the Wanganella for Sydney would probably be accommodated in the Dominion Monarch and the Rangitiki, which should be leaving for England, via Australia, about the erid of the month. Luggage Transferred The business of transferring luggage from the liner to the harbour ferry boat Cobar was tedious in the absence of cargo nets. Forty-six packages were taken aboard the Cobar this morning. They were all lowered by a light line from A deck. The handles of one or two bags broke and the bags dropped into the sea, but were rescued by the Cobar’s crew with a boathook. Great curiosity in the stranded vessel was shown by aircraft throughout the day. Aeroplane after aeroplane dfved, dipped, and swooped over the liner.