NEW DIVING BELL TO BE USED IN NIAGARA SALVAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22696, 22 July 1948, Page 6

NEW DIVING BELL TO BE USED IN NIAGARA SALVAGE

(P.A.) AUCKLAND. July 20. An attempt to retrieve some of the gold bars, worth £151,000 remaining in or near the wrecked Niagara, which struck a mine off the North Auckland coast on the night of June 18, 1940, is planned for the coming summer. . Mr. John Johnstone, the diver who recovered bars worth £2,397,000 in 1941, has interviewed the Minister of Finance, Mr. W. Nash, in Wellington and, provided the syndicate of five can be assured of a reasonable return on their capital, the venture will proceed. Designed by Mr. Johnstone and built in Melbourne, a new type of bell with spotlight attached will be used. This time a grab will be attached to the bell and will be operated by the diver himself. Resembling a human hand, the grab will reach for gold in corners beyond the range of the unwieldy grab previously used, which smashed many of the pinewood casings containing gold bars while they were being lifted to the salvage ship. “On one occasion I saw a bar flash past my -window and disappear in the mud. That and several more, I am afraid, have gone forever," Mr. Johnstone said. The marine growth which is expected to be covering the wreck will be removed by the use of light explosive charges The salvage ship will again use Whangarei as her base.