A DIFFICULT TASK.

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 28, 1 February 1919, Page 12

A DIFFICULT TASK.

In the early days of 1917 the tank steamei Pianna, belonging to the Petroleum Steamship Company, was tovpedoad by a German submarine. In her crippled condition she was again struck, and ■ultimately it was found necessary to beach her in a very damaged state at Milford Haven. She was placed in the hands of a salvage association, and some of the leading ship repairing firms were asked to inspect her with ihe hope of again making, her seaworthy. Unfortunately, the beaiihing had considerably aggravated her condition, and, it is stated, practically broken her back. The Pianna, which was built in 1901 by Armstrong, Whitworth and Co., is a ship of 4100 tons net register and 6288 cargo. One of the experts saw the work could only be carried out on the spot, and for this purpose improvised an organisation, and leased tho old Millord Haven dry dock, which had: been lying idle for the past dozen years or so. The necessary machinery and labour, despite the difficulties of control, were obtained, and the work of dirydocking the vessel, although attended by many difficulties, was at last accomplished. TJhe repairs were completed in due course, and a short time after the Pianna sailed from Milford Haven on an outward passage.