REFLOATED.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 241, 15 October 1921, Page 4

REFLOATED.

THE DREDGER C.D.K. A GOOD PIECE OF WORK. CAUSE OF SINKING STILL A MYSTERY. The dredger C.D.K. which sank during the last week-end, was raised without difficulty this morning. Work, under the supervision of Mr F. Finch, Harbour Board Engineer, was commenced at 6 a.m. Tho new Napier fire engine and the old steam fire engine were both on tho spot, and at 6.35 a.m. pumping was commenced under the direction of Brig-ade-Superintendent L. Pickering. This was continued for about an hour and a half w’hen tho remaining water ran to the other end, the front of tho dredger being well out of the water. The steam machine was kept going while steps were taken to relieve the pressure at the stern end. At about 8.45 all the men available were at the winches, and on the ends of the outlet pipes, and tho dredger suddenly lifted from the bottom, and rose to an even keel. Under half an hour later Mr Pickering announced that the engine was sucking air and only 8 inches of water was found to remain in one corner. This completed the w'ork of raising, tho hatches wore removed, and work was immediately commenced to get the dredger ready for service. This is the first job of any importance that the new Napier fire engine has been called on to do ,and it demonstrated what a useful and reliable acquisition it is to the town.

A few minutes after pumping ceased the dredge engineer (Mr Plank) had his boiler fires under way and shortly afterwards the dredge’s pump was available. The fire engine was then withdrawn.

Tho dredge shows little sign of damage, and the main work of recommissioning, which will take from a week to a fortnight,.will consist of cleaning out silt from the machinery. The principal damage will be to the dynamo, but this is not a serious matter, apart from the expense of repairs, as it is only used when lighting is required. The cause of the sinking remains a mystery. The dredge did not continue to make an appreciable amount of water after having been pumped out. The view- is held by some is that the water coming down after tho rain backed up in tho dead-end and on the back water went over the hatchway, putting in enough water in a few minutes to sink the vessel and allow more to run in. Some lads who saw the dredge sink say that it went down at another corner than would be the case if this was the cause of the sinking, and their story puts the open hatchway version out of consideration When a thorough examination han been possible more light may be thrown on tho cause.