STILL FURTHER UP SHORE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3831, 14 May 1913, Page 5

STILL FURTHER UP SHORE

THE STRANDED INDRABARAH

POSITION NOT QUITE SO

HOPEFUL.

HEAVY SEA STILL RUNNING. W TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] WANGANUI, May 13. From all accounts matters in connection with the stranded Inclrabarah are not as rosy as they might bej but the prospects of refloating her are unchanged from yesterday. The vessel is again higher up on the beach, and the heavy seas which effected this have prevented anchors being put nut. The Union Co.’s powerful tug !«*awhiti came into Castlecliff this afternoon and loaded more coal. Iler efforts to reach the stranded liner had been resultless, owing to the heavy seas which break a- long way out froni tlie steamer, indicating the water is very shallow. ", Before anything more can be done fino weather will have to prevail, and the present weather is doing no good to the steamer. The psychological time for rendering assistance, seems to have been lost, in tlie opinion of shippin «• men here. All regret that on Saturday morning, when aid was most needed and the weather was fairly favorable, it was not available- but the steamer was left to the mercy of succeeding gales. . Opinion, of course, varies greatly as to the prospects of refloating her, and tlie views of one may he of interest. This is Mr. A. Maxwell, who has had a long experience of wrecks from an underwriting point of view. He savs:—“Though I have not had an opportunity of ‘'seeing her as she now lies, I have an intimate ’knowledge of the*locality and conditions, which lead me to believe that she will not be towed off. Tho vessel is such a size and weight, that having come, ashore with- a high tide and a heavy scathe will burrow a hole for herself with the high seas swinging her about, and the currents and wind will build up a sandbank to seaward of her and hold her fast. Tho light draught of water will prevent dredging operations to cut a channel, to tow her through, and I am not aware of any wreck-re-covery appliances in New Zealand sufficiently up-to-date to deal with such a vessel in her present position. The object of my remarks is to express the opinion that such salvage operations as are practicable should be conducted from the shore as soon as weather conditions permit, and that all hope of towing the vessel off he abandoned.” The latest news from Bulls Mates that tlie Inclrabarah was lying nearly broadside on to the beaeli, and still swinging with the action of the waves. Her head lies towards the south. It- was stated iu Wanganui to-day that the vessel had been abandoned to the underwriters, but officials ridicule this, though they naturally admit that everything depends on the weather. Nothing can be done till the next, spring tides come along, in about eight-days’ time. In the meantime, no doubt, all arrangements will bo made. In all probability efforts will be made to lighten the vessel, either by jettisoning some of the cargo or by transhipping it if the weather will'permit of this. The hull of the vessel is still perfectly sound.