WAHINE SALVAGE Japanese Display Greatest Interest

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31658, 19 April 1968, Page 22

WAHINE SALVAGE Japanese Display Greatest Interest

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 18. A Union Steam Ship Company spokesman said today that although there had been inquiries from other salvage firms, the only inspection parties, so far had come from the two large Japanese companies.

“We are still investigating the availability of various ships to charter,” said the spokesman. The Maori was catering for the demand in passengers, cars and cargo with her increased running. Navy divers sent from Auckland to examine the Wahine’s hull for the Marine Department found this morning a sand and gravel bank 12 feet high near the bows. The bank completely covers the two anchor chains leading from the ship. Lieutenant-Commander T.

H. Wickman, in charge of the team of seven divers said that at this early stage it could not be determined whether or not the bank had been formed since the ship foundered. Lighthouse Tender The Auckland men are operating from the Marine Department’s lighthouse tender, Enterprise. They have a large assortment of equipment, including underwater cameras. They will completely inspect the submerged hull—a job which, according to Lieutenant-Commander Wickman, could take one or two

weeks, depending on the weather. The divers found that the chains led straight down from the port and starboard sides of the Wahine’s bows on to the seabed. They then ran along a short distance and disappeared into bank. Mass Of Gear They were covered with a mass of ropes and other gear. So far the divers have not been able to find where they emerge from the bank. In order to facilitate the assessment of damage along the side, the hull is being painted on the port side with vertical white lines 50 feet apart. This will divide the ship into about 10 sections, on to which the various holes, gashes and cracks will be drawn on a plan.