SALVAGING OF WANGANELLA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25089, 22 January 1947, Page 6

SALVAGING OF WANGANELLA

Effort Postponed Yesterday DELAY CAUSED BY RISING SWELL (P.A.) WELLINGTON. January 21. A rising swell and the need for more equipment caused a postponement this afternoon of the proposed big attempt to refloat the Wanganella from Barrett’s Reef, and it is possible that the attempt will be made to-morrow. The vital question asked by those connected with the salvage is: “Will No. 2 bulkhead hold.” The next and almost equally important need is a continuance of fine A heavy southerly would almost certainly spell disaster. A remote contingency is that the vessel might, with a suitable sea, loosen herself and slide off without much help from tugs. This, however, depends entirely on a report that divers with acetylene torches are burning away the plates and steel that grip the rocks. It is known that there is a considerable swirl of water inside two of the now practically flooded forward holds, and that work for divers there is difficult. A reporter who made a close inspection of the Wanganella when the big effort to dislodge her was thought imminent, found that she had settled somewhat further by the bow, indicating that her bottom had suffered additional damage. A slight list, moreover, has been increased to one of about five degrees to starboard. There is no longitudinal movement; but rocking is developing. At high tide the stern was higher than the bow. Additional preparations by which it is hoped to shift the Wanganella tomorrow include the planting to-mor- ; row morning of two additional mush- • room anchors to accompany those put i down and connected by cable with the ' vessel’s machinery to-day. Three ; powerful pumps which could not be ; unloaded because of the swell to-day I were taken to the scene of operations I again to-night. I It is considered that the three tugs ! available are all that could be proflti ably employed oh this salvage Operai tion. With the three tugs hauling on ' cables, the Wanganella hauling on ! four mushroom anchors so placed as i to lift .her nose while hauling backward, the removal of obstructing plates, ancLh a high tide and a fair I swell from the south, hopes are enteritained that the Wangartella may still be saved.

An attempt to refloat the vessel was made on the rising -tide in the early hours of this morning. Three tugs and all the available power of the ship’s engines and winches were used, but without avail. Because the headquarters of the salvage work Is the ship herself—the master (Captain R. Darroch) has stayed aboard to direct it —it is difficult to get any accurate assessment of the extent to which the liner has been damaged. Mr D. E. Eadie, superintending engineer for the Huddart Parker Com* pany, arrived from Australia via Auckland to-night. He will take full charge of the salvage operations.

MAIL TAKEN OFF UNDAMAGED

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 21. The Wanganella’s mail was taken off undamaged this afternoon. An attempt in the day was unsuccessful because the tug Na-tone was unable to get alongside the ship. All the mail came from Australia.

STEM BUCKLED AND TORN

EXAMINATION OF DAMAGE “ The Press ” Special Service WELLINGTON, „ Jan. 21. An examination of the Wanganella from a launch yesterday afternoon shftwed that the foot of her straight stem had been torn and buckled for about five feet.

Below the buckle, so far as could be seen, the receding portion of the hull had been damaged, but further aft there appeared to be a rupture ih 'her plating below the water line. On the starboard side of het bow and hard against it, is the outermost rock off the reef, projecting about 16ft from the water at low tide.

' Another rock, just visible about low water, is against the vessel’s side itnmediately below the bridge. The Wanganella seems to be wedged in a cleft between the two rocks. Examination after dawn this morning showed that the ship was not so noticeably down by the stern as was at first thought. RADIO MESSAGES FROM KETCH ILEX ASSISTANCE TO POLICE LAUNCH *' The Press ” Special Service WELLINGTON, Jan. 21. Only just back from ’ Australia, the ketch Ilex put to sea again yesterday morning to see if she could be of ady assistance at the scene of the wreck of the Wanganella. She foUna a job to do and for four hours used her radio as a means of Communication for the police launch. Messages from the Ilex were picked up by an amateur at Worser Bay and telephoned to their destination. MEMBERS OF CREW RETURN TO SYDNEY LIKELY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 21. The manager of the Huddart Parker Company in Wellington (Mr N. D. McLean) said to-day that he had no statement to make about the stranding. Although arrangements have not been completed, it is expected that members of the Wanganella’s crew not required in New Zealand will return to Sydney in the Dominion Monarch. FILMS TAKEN OF STRANDING QUICK WORK BY NATIONAL UNIT " The Press ” Special Service WELLINGTON, January 21. As a result of quick work by the staff of the National Film Unit, .newsreel films of the stranding of the Wanganella are expected to be screened in Wellington to-night. Copies are also to leave by air this morning for Australia, where they should arrive this afternoon.

i The first unit cameraman was on duty at 2 a.m. yesterday. He hired a ! fisherman’s launch and was taking shots as soon as the light permitted. Further film was exposed during the day and the unit staff worked throughout last night to complete the job.

The only advice the Lyttelton Har- | bour Board has received that its tug ! Lyttelton II may be requited to assist in the salvage of the Wanganella is the newspaper report that, if the four tugs at present on the job are insufficient the services of others may be asked for. The tug is available should it be required, but the board has still had no official indication from either the owners or the Marine Department, that the tug may be wanted.