STRANDED MAHENO

Evening Star, Issue 22351, 29 May 1936, Page 6

STRANDED MAHENO

TO BE BROKEN UP FOR SCRAP JAPANESE PLAN A salvage feat unique in Australian shipping history will shortly be attempted by the Japanese, owners of the former intercolonial liner Maheno, which now lies stranded on Fraser Island, off tho Queensland coast. The ship will be broken up as she lies embedded in the sand and stripped down to tho beach level. The parts will be carted across the island through six miles of clinging sand, and then shipped to Japan. The salvage gear to be employed is now on its way to Fraser Island, and 35 Japanese will be employed on the work, which is expected to occupy several months.

The Maheno was bought by Avnakasu Brothers, of Osaka, and left Sydney on July 3 last year for Japan, in tow of the steamer Oonah. During a cyclone, off tho Queensland coast the ships parted company, and tho helpless Maheno was cast up on Fraser Island. Japanese salvage experts inspected the ship on two occasions, and up till the end of last year hopes were entertained that she could be dragged into deeper water. The Maheno, however, sank deeper into the sand, and now lies broadside on to the sea. Even at low tide waves splash through her shattered portholes and through the cracks in her plates. At high_ water there is 27ft of .water in her engine room. A tfew months ago the owners attempted to sell the ship as she no tenders were received. The furniture and fittings in the meantime had been removed and shipped to the mainland. .. .

Rather than abandon the ship, which is worth about £17,000 to her owners, it has been decided to cut her up as she lies and ship the parts to Japan. Salvage gear never previously used in Australia is being brought down by a special salvage ship. Arrangements have been completed with the Federal Sueensland authorities for the salvage lip to be granted pratique at Urangan, which is the nearest mainland port to the scene of the stranding, and permission has been granted for the gear and tackle to enter the country, provided it is not afterward sold here. Stores will be checked, and any supplies consumed will be dutiable during the period the men are at work.

The salvage ship will be unable to approach very close to the Maheno, and it has been found that the materials recovered from the vessel will have to be transported across the island to the deeper water on the mainland side. It is believed that the Japanese are bringing their own carts for this purpose. With the arrival of the old tanker Vincas at Kobe the most successful tow of recent years from Australia to Japan was completed. Towed by the ex-Union Line cargo steamer Kawatiri, which was commanded by Captain Hirahiri, the Vincas left Lakes Entrance, Victoria, on March 22. The two ships weathered a series of gales off the Queensland coast without any untoward incident. The vessels were connected by two tow tines each 300yds long. The ships did not call in at any port during their long journey of 5,100 miles. During the voyage the chief engineer, who suffered from consumption, died, and was buried at sea. The arrival of the Vincas at her destination recalls the tragic loss of the steamer Paringa, with all hands, off the Victorian coast in December last. _ The Paringa left Melbourne with the Vincas in tow, and during a terrific cyclone was compelled to cast off the tow lines. The Vinvas drifted into Lakes Entrance, where anchor was dropped, but the Paringa was never heard of again, and it is believed that she foundered.