RAISING THE WALKURE

Grey River Argus, 11 April 1916, Page 2

RAISING THE WALKURE

A PROFITABLE VENTURE. Further particulars are to hand re-g-arding- the raisiug- of the steamei Walkure, which was sunk in the harbour oi aPpeete during the bombardment by the German warships about iS months ago. It was at first stat ed that the ship was sunk by a German shell, but it was discovered later that a Frenchman . sunk her by opening her seacocks, and so prevented the Germans from taking her coal. The vessels was purchased by an American interest as she lay at the bottom of the harbour, and the price paid is stated to have been about Salvage opei'ations were remarkably successful, and the vessel was raised practically intact. Not only that, but about 2000 tons of chosphates, which were aboard, were recovered, and taken" to Honolulu for discharge. Whether the phosphates were included in the purchase price of j .£SBOO is not stated. The cost of salv- , ing the vessel is estimated at less than £20,000, and at the present abnormal price of tonnage it is calculated that the Walkure, renamed the Republic, is worth at least ,£IOO,OOO. She is a vessel of the turret-deck type, of 3836 tons gross, and 2403 tons net register. Her builders were W. Doxtord and Cons., Ltd., Sunderland, England, and she was constructed in 1907.