Hole Torn In Hautapu’s Side
(New Zealand Press Association/
WELLINGTON, June 3. A gaping hole was torn in the side of the trawler Hautapu near the stern, the “Dominion” reports.
A reporter, Mr K. Hancox, made an underwater inspection of the ship which sank at its berth in Shelly Bay on Wednesday night.
He said an explosion had ripped a huge hole in the starboard side of the ship about four feet from the bottom and five or six yards from the stern.
Mr Hancox, who swam Cook Strait, said it was difficult to say whether the explosive charge had been placed inside the ship or on the hull. The edges of the hole were ragged and sharp. The Hautapu has a list of
about 20 degrees to starboard and is resting in the seabed in about 30 feet of water. The forward section of the ship is above water. The old trawler was to have been towed to Cook Strait and sunk by the Air Force and Navy this week as an exercise.
However. H.M.N.Z.S. Inverell, the ship which was to have towed the Hautapu, was diverted to take part in the search for the Kaitawa.
The Wellington police are investigating the sinking of the ship. Police skin-divers have not yet examined the wreck.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 18
Word Count
215Hole Torn In Hautapu’s Side Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 18
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