DAMAGE TO WAHINE “MORE EXTENSIVE”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31661, 23 April 1968, Page 1

DAMAGE TO WAHINE “MORE EXTENSIVE”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 22.

Damage to the sunken ferry Wahine is more extensive than earlier reports indicated. This is the opinion of three divers who spent more than three hours examining the wreck today for a Singapore salvage company.

Mr B. Shepherd, leader of the team, estimated that the Wahine could be salvaged in three to six months, but there must be good weather.

as if there would be plenty of work for New Zealand labour when salvaging started. He said if his company, Selco (Singapore), Ltd, did the salvaging, they would probably work 24 hours a day. There would be jobs for about 40 skilled fishermen and seamen and for about 18 divers. “But we don’t want spear fishermen. This will be really hard work,” he said. The Navy diving team has finished its survey of the damage done to the hull and will report to the Marine Department.

“I have dived all over the world, but this wreck is one of the worst for salvaging conditions,” said Mr Shepherd.

removed before the ship is lifted. Any left could block the pumps.” Although the divers poked their heads through holes and went down one deck, they have made no inspection yet of the cars. Mr F. Yeldon, a Timaru Harbour Board diver for 12 years, said: “The ship will be on the bottom for quite some time. “I felt so sad for all those people with so many valuables locked down there,” he said, referring to the cars. Mr Tyree said: “It is out of the question bringing cars out at the angle she is. Even when she’s righted, it could take up to four hours to get each car out.” Mr Shepherd said it looked

“The weather is the main hazard. There is likely to be a lot of heavy swell and strong winds.”

The divers said they were not in a position to talk about the full extent of the damage. Information like that would be left for the inquiry to reveal. Conditions for examining the wreck were excellent today. The water was warm and the visibility clear. A Timaru diver, Mr N. Tyree, said he thought it would take at least a fortnight to make a complete survey. Plating Torn “I was amazed to see the amount of damage done.

Some of the steel plating was torn like newspaper,” he said.

“The Wahine was right down hard on the wing of the port bridge and there was oil everywhere. “Every time you open a door you are met by tables, chairs, and formica objects which float past. There are pillows and sheets and all kinds of ship’s fittings floating around. Salvage Problem

A Navy spokesman said the anchors had also been found and buoyed. The Navy will continue investigating the wreck this week. Dutch Inquiries Meanwhile, the Union Steam Ship Company said today a Dutch salvaging firm had made preliminary inquiries about the Wahine. The preliminary inquiry into the Wahine disaster was expected to end on Friday, a spokesman for the Marine Department said tonight He said no date had yet been set for the full inquiry.

“This will be one of the major salvaging difficulties. All the loose articles must be