Welders Work Against Time On Reached Ship

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28801, 23 January 1959, Page 10

Welders Work Against Time On Reached Ship

(New Zuhlond Press Association) ■

AUCKLAND, January 22. Welders and boilermakers- are now working at seal the two flooded forward holds and expel the t water by compressed air in time to refloat the vessel on high spring tides at the week-end. Calmer seas today enabled the Mona’s Isle to take the Auckland lighter carrying compressors, welding equipment, and steel plate to the ship. Most of the gear was unloaded.

As a result of a minor mishap, the Mona’s Isle was beached near Coronation pier, near Tauranga, where repairs were being made to her rudder tonight. She is expected to be ready to take prefabricated workers’ huts to the freighter tomorrow morning.' The Wellington tug Taioma wiU make a further attempt to pump 40 tons of fresh water into the freighter at dawn tomorrow. She will then attempt to locate the ship’s seven-ton anchor, which was holding her stern to sea before the cable broke last week. A 54in cable will be attached to this anchor and secured to the bow of the freighter. This

anchor will be the maiastsy against which an attempt wtll b* made to ease the ship into deeper water by winching. A helicopter made a dozen trim to the freighter today. In ths afternoon, the master of the Taioma (Captain w. A. MeGarty) was taken on board to disrow salvage plans. A formal inquiry into th* grounding of the Golden Master will be held in Auckland according to the Norwegian Vice-Consul (Mr Donald Millar). TJ The preliminary inquiry, chljed a maritime declaration, would he held when the ship reached Auckland, or if it were abandoned, when the crew came to Auckland, he said. Mr Millar added thtt Norwegian law demanded two assessors. Scandinavians if possible, for the inquiry. . r ... Mr Millar has chosen a resident Norwegian master and I British cgptain. f . Evidence is sent to the Norwegian Minister of Commerce fa Oslo.