STILL HELD UP

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 257, 28 July 1939, Page 10

STILL HELD UP

Salvage Work On Port Bowen TUGS STAY IN PORT Hope Of Saving Frozen Cargo Dominion Special Service. WANGANUI, July 27. For the fourth consecutive day tugs and lighters remained in port today, as a heavy swell did not permit of any attempt being made to move the Port Bowen off Castlecliff beach, where she has been stranded for more than a week. Before operations are undertaken soundings will have to be made by a pilot launch, and, till this is done, a definite plan cannot be evolved either for lightering or for towing the vessel off. It is held by competent judges that lighters will b e able to get alongside the ship when the sea calms. It was stated tonight that steam will be raised on the Port Bowen by midday tomorrow, and every effort is being made in getting gear transferred from the shore to the ship. -With the raising of steam, there is every hope of the frozen produce being saved. During bad weather work ceases on tiie Port Bowen at 10 p.m. and ’on shore at nightfall, and the wireless telephone is closed down. Some of the firemen, whose services are not required, were brought ashore in a lifeboat today. If the Port Bowen is towed off she will be ttaken direct to Wellington by tugs. A breeches-buoy life-saving apparatus has been erected on the beach opposite the Port Bowen. It was stated by officials that the apparatus was to be used only in an emergency, and it was not expected that there would be any need to bring men off the ship by that method. The breeches buoy will, howler, provide easy communication with the shore should it be found necessary, and will be available for the transport of articles from the ship to the shore, and for the exchange of messages when other methods are not available. Ibe gear was set up by about 30 men. Captain Gregory reported yesterday that the cargo of frozen meat on the Port Bowen is keeping well. The temperature in the holds where the meat is stored has risen only one degree and there is a possibility of the whole of this cargo being saved if steam can be raised, states a Press Association message. t , Work on the Port Bowen yesterday was concentrated in au endeavour to raise steam. The forward boiler is out of action, but those aft are believed to be intact. Flexible pipes are being transferred to the ship to replace those fractured as a result of the severe buffeting the vessel received on Sunday.