Norwegian Freighter Still Firmly Aground

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28792, 13 January 1959, Page 8

Norwegian Freighter Still Firmly Aground

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 12. Choppy seas, whipped by a 15 knot north- * westerly wind, today foiled an attempt to put a number of higher capacity suction pumps on board the 12,500-ton Norwegian freighter Golden Master. The Golden Master is still wedged firmjy on the beach off Matakana Island, near the entrance to Tauranga harbour, after being holed off Motiti Island late on Saturday afternoon.

Part of the freighter’s cargo of 6000 tons of rock phosphate is being dumped from her two forward holds, which are both flooded. The extra pumps are needed to discharge 32ft of water from her forward section. Another attempt to get the pumps on board will probably be made ar6 a.m. tomorrow. If the wind drops overnight -the pumps will Le towed out to the ship from Tauranga on a 70ft pontoon. Seven pumps, with a total capacity of 18.000 gallons a minute, were loaded on the pontoon this afternoon. Salvage experts expect that the pumps will be large enough to clear the ship of water in her holds and enable the bow to be raised out of the sand. The pontoon is due to reach the Golden Master at 8 a.m., and a start should be made later in the day to pump the holds. A team of Ministry of Works engineers and fire brigadesmen is standing by ready to man the pumps when they are put on board the ship. The pumps have been obtained from Ministry of Works depots in Auckland and Paeroa, from the Hauraki Catchment Board depot at Te Aroha and the State Forest Service workshop at Rotorua'. Engineers are working tonight at the Tauranga Harbour Board workshops preparing heavy steel pipe fittings for the salvage attempt tomorrow. Tug Turned Back The pontoon was taken in tow from Mount Maunganui this afternoon by the tugboat . Rere Moana, but had to turn back without leaving the harbour because of heavy seas running in the entrance. The wind freshened during the afternoon, and a moderate to heavy sea was still running in the Bay of Plenty late tonight The salvage operation is being directed by the Auckland salvage master. Captain J. Forbes, who is staying on board the Golden

Master. An eight-ton anchor has been laid astern of the ship to hold her steady. There are also two anchors out from her bows. Firmly on Bottom

The bow of the ship was firmly on the bottom today, in spite of a moderate swell and fairly heavy chop breaking in from the north. The ship is not expected to be in any danger unless the wind freshens into a gale.

The full extent of the damage to the hull is not known, and no estimate can be made of how long it will take to pump the holds dry. A skindiver will inspect the hull as soon as the bows can be raised from the bottom. Immediately the ship is raised collision mats will be slipped around the hull to seal the gash. If the damage is found to be extensive the Golden Master will put into Tauranga Harbour for temporary repairs. Otherwise she will make for Auckland foi; docking. Cargo in After Holds No attempt will be made to Jettison about 3000 tons of phosphate rock in the after holds, as this extra weight in the stem will help to raise the bows when the forward holds are pumped out. The ship’s engines have not been damaged, and marine experts believe she will be able to free herself under her own power. Hundreds of holiday-makers and residents have watched the operation from the north-western slopes of Mount Maunganui. Fishing launches ran excursions to the ship through the day.