Attempts To Salvage Trawler Postponed

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30855, 14 September 1965, Page 6

Attempts To Salvage Trawler Postponed

(N.Z. Press Association)

MASTERTON, Sept. 13

No further attempts would be made in the near future to refloat the Proton, the Napier trawler stranded at Castlepoint, said Captain G. W. Dunsford, an Auckland salvage expert. “We are waiting for better weather conditions,” he said, from Auckland in a telephone interview this morning. “1 just don’t know when we will make another attempt.” Workmen spent the weekend removing the engine, refrigeration machinery and other equipment from the boat.

“The machinery was deteriorating and we decided to take it out for transporting back to Napier, where it can

be repaired,” Captain Dunsford said.

The plan now was to refloat the hull and tow it back to Napier when the weather was more suitable, said Captain Dunsford. The 40-ton Proton went aground at Castlepoint on August 26 when the gearbox broke down. Several attempts to refloat her have been unsuccessful.

“She is lying in a safe position just now,” Captain Dunsford said.

Retained Shield. — The Lyttelton Harbour Board’s Rugby team retained the E. R. Toup Shield when it defeated the Wellington Harbour Board's team, 16-6, in the bi-annual match at Lyttelton last weekend.