SALVAGE OF THE KENKON MARU III.

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 55, 2 September 1916, Page 10

SALVAGE OF THE KENKON MARU 111.

The Japanese steamer Kenkon Maru 111., which was formerly known aa the Ailsa Craig, and was stranded on Belle Chain Reef (Pacifio Coast) on the 12th January last, while bound from Seattle to Vladivostock and Nanimo, was refloated on the 16th ult., and towed into Esquimalt Harbour tho next afternoon, and floated into the dock for inspection. Many attempts had been made to salvage the Kenkon Maru TIL, and it was only after extra pumps had been placed aboard, tho temporary bulkhead strengthened, and the rocks through the vessel blown away, that the steamer was refloated. The salvage operations were carried out by Japanese brought from the Orient working under K. Inui, managing director of tho Inui Gomei Kaisha, owners of tho vessel. Upon an examination of the vessel it was found that her forefoot, 75 feet of the keel aft had gone, and practically all of her bottom was a conglomerate mass of buckled and twisted plates, and gaping holes to port, aft, and starboard forward. It is acknowledged by all who havo seen the Kenkon Maru 111. that she is one of the worst wrecks ever hauled into a British Columbian port. For 40 to 50 feet amidships tho keel is twisted and broken, and it is estimated that a hundred frames and an even larger number of floor' plates aro twisted and otherwise damaged. Whether permanent repairs will be made at Esquimalt or temporao-y repairs bo effected to permit tho vessel to cross the Pacific has hot yet been decided. It was stated by an officer of tho ship that it is desirable that permanent, repairs be made on the Pacific Coast, in view of the fact that return cargo to the Orient at the prevailing high rates would cover the cost of the repair contract. If tho Esquimalt dry dock is available* for any length of time it is probable that the permanent repairs may be contracted for there