CLAIM FOR SALVAGE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 996, 10 December 1910, Page 6

CLAIM FOR SALVAGE.

THE SOLGRAN'AND THE REE- : - ' -MERE. ' ' (By. Telegrapla-Prcss Association.) • Christchurcli, December 9. A' claim,_ made" by Frank Merton' Calvert, of."Hobart, against, the barque Solgran, camo before.- Mr, Justice' Sim in the Supreme Court to-day. Plaintiff, as ma-ster and owner of tho-s.e. Reemere, claimed £500 for salvage services rendered by him to the Solgran in tho estuary of the River . Denvcnt,.'■Tasmania, on April 27 last. 'In support of .plaintiff's case it was stated that the Solgran .got, into, difficulties going out of Derwent Estuary. She , had just come out of Dentrecastcaux ■ Channel, and .was endeavouring to go out to sea through Storm Bay.' After leaving the channel the wind became'very light, and • the Solgran failed to get 'into Storm Bay; _ The captain then endeavoured to bring her round by wearing, but the wind was so slight that this also was . unsuccessful.. 'Tide was at half flood, and was setting round Derwent Lighthouse Island, carrying the barque between the island and the south arm of the mainland?. This was towards Iron Pot Narrows, a very rocky and reefy pa.rt .of the. estuary.-v.iAt this time the Reemere came upyand as.tliero was no time , to' drop anchor.vtho only hope, to save' the ,Solgran was"to take a tow. The Reemere came ■' up and towed the Solgran .to a safe-position. After the work had'been done, Captain Halliday called, the. Reemere -alongside, and passed an envelope to .an officer. This, it'was thought, was a letter to the• Hobart ./agent, ■ but'.'when opened 'it. was found to contain onlj two Evidence taken' for plaintiff on commission in Hobart was 'put in by counsel. The' defence was - that there- : Was an agreement to do what Was done for a fixed sum,, and that the' sum'had been paid. Tho.ship was in-no danger, and could havei anchored-at .any time with safety.- - Decision wasjesorved.