SALVAGE OF WRECKS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 70, 15 December 1939, Page 6

SALVAGE OF WRECKS

Waste Allegedly Caused

By Delay

CASE OF WAIKOUAITI Dominion Special Service INVERCARGILL, December 13. Condemnation of the delay in salvaging ship, cargo, or gear when ships were wrecked off the New Zealand coast was expressed by the chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board, Mr. W. J. A. McGregor, at the monthly meeting of the board. The chairman referred to the loss of the Union Steam Ship Company’s intercolonial steamer Waikouaiti, which grounded off Dog Island recently, and said that if prompt action had been taken thousands of pounds worth of valuable cargo could have been saved. "The Canterbury Shipping Company’s coastal vessel Gale was in port at the time and could have been taken alongside,” said Mr. McGregor. “Some of the big cargo of timber and other valuable items could have been transferred in this way.” The chairman then read the following recommendation to the Government, which was approved:— “That, in view of the national loss, apart from the losses to underwriters, through delay of immediate action in salvaging shipwrecks on the New Zealand coast, the Government be urged to take immediate charge, on behalf of whom it may concern, of all wrecks of any value, and that instructions immediately be given to such port authorities in any vicinity to proceed at once with salvage operations for the recovery of ship, cargo, or gear; that on completion of such work settlement be arrived at by arrangement or arbitration. ,

The recent wreck of the Waikouaiti is another glaring instance of national wastage and loss —a cargo worth about £300,000, thousands of pounds worth of which could have been saved had immediate action been taken and the calm sea availed of, instead of waiting for underwriters to make up their minds and for the seas to rise. “The Port Bowen is another glaring instance of national loss, the result of apathy. If good weather had been taken advantage of this ship would probably be afloat now instead of resting on the Wanganui beach.”