THE ABEL TASMAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1936, Page 6

THE ABEL TASMAN

DEPARTURE OF CREW

With the exception of nine members of the crew who will he required to give evidence at the Magisterial inquiry, the full complement of the illfated s.s. Abel Tasman, which was wrecked on the North Breakwater last Saturday evening, have now left Greymouth. Advice was received yesterday afternoon that the men should return to Sydney by the Marama, which leaves Auckland to-morrow morning. Accordingly, hasty preparations had to be made for their departure, and they left by special ’bus at 3 a.m. to-day for Picton, to connect with this afternoon’s ferry steamer. As soon as

these twenty men reach Sydney they will be paid off, being on Australian articles, but in the meantime, they are still regarded as being in the employ of the H. C. Sleigh Coasters Proprietary, Ltd. The vessel remains motionless on tho rocks, and as yet there is no sign of her completely breaking up, moderate seas being experienced for the past two days. However, she has received a severe battering at the stern, which is exposed to the full force of the waves. The door of the wireless room has been battered in, and it is feared that the equipment has been ruined by tho sea water. Yesterday afternoon the vessel was again boarded and parcels of the crew’s personal effects brought ashore, also some of the ship’s instruments, and other easily removable articles.

No advice has yet been received from the Marino Department as to whether or not an inquiry is to be held into the mishgp, but in the meantime representations are being made that, if an inquiry is decided upon, it should bo held at Greymouth. Similarly, Captain G. Knowles, Underwriters’ representative, has not yet been advised by his principals as to what is to be done with the ship.