AT THE SEA’S MERCY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, 1 August 1912, Page 5

AT THE SEA’S MERCY.

STORM PLAYING HAVOC WITH THE STRANDED STEAMER.

CHANCES OF REFLOATING HER SMALL HOLD NO. 3 AGAIN FLOODED. 'The sea 'was hi a great f ui .y vestorclay, and the Star cf Canada, suffered considerable damage as a consequence, the big swell and the heavy rollers giving the vessel a severe and serious shaking. In the earliest hours of the morning, great rollers were washing no on the Waikanae and Kaiti lieaehes and the entrance to the harbor was in a turbulent state. Towards evening the sea calmed slightly for a short space, hut the storm set in again with full force late last night. It was quite evident that the Star of Canada was having none too easy a time. Jluring yesterday, there were sensational developments which certainly prejudice the chances of refloating the steamer and give color to the near probability of the vessel being dismantled or dealt with in the quickest possible manner so as to dispose of her to the best advantage. There are minors of the steamer being sold to a syndicate, but no reliable confirmation can be obtained.

During the early morning yesterday the sea reached its worst stage, big breakers lashing themselves at the steamer and straining her until she pulled hard on the anchor lines, the stern swinging freely and rising and falling after the fashion of a. see-saw. As she fell each time, oueer rumblings could he heard below.

The stern is acting as a lever, and the excellent huikl of the.Tyser steamer can alone he taken into account as having saved her from breaking amidships. The pumps were' worked for a time and the water kept in hand, until finally the bulkhead between Nos. 2 and 3 holds collapsed, and the latter hold was flooded. At this, operations had to be susoended and the hull was luiffetted severely by the waves, which left it limp and lifeless, like a wounded thing.

So were matters yesterday morning when the small steamer Ctosford tried to get alongside. This was found impossible. however, although she succeeded later in the day in bringing in the lend and antimony which awaited her on the steamer’s deck. The operation was a difficult one, but perseverance won the fight, and the cargo was finally snug in the little steamer and brought' ashore. Still on the steamer is alKint 100 tons of this valuable metal, and the salvers consider themselves fortunate m saving the GOO odd tons which they did. All the afternoon and until early this morning, the sea was behaving with equal fury, and the steamer was swinging and wavering under the power of the swell. It is estimated up to the present, that over -£20.000 has been expended in the attempt to save the steamer.