THE TYRONE WRECK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16358, 30 September 1913, Page 10

THE TYRONE WRECK.

A DIVER'S REPORT.

MORE HOPEFUL NEWS.

THOUGHT THE VESSEL MAY BE REFLOATED. [Pun Press Association.] DUNEDIN, September 30.

So far tho position in regard to the wrecked s.s. Tyrone remains unchanged. The weather was good to-day and the sea calm, and the vessel at the latest had not altered her position. This morning a survey party went to tho sceno of the wreck to ascertain if possible the exact position of affairs. The party consisted of Captain M'Lachlan (master of tho Tyrone), Mr A. Morrison (Lloyd's surveyor), Mr A. M'lntyre (naval architect and superintendent ef the Union Company's ship repairing work at Port Chalmers), and Mr R. Miller (manager ot tho firm of Miller Bros., well known for diving and other work in connection with the salvaging of damaged vessels). This party, accompanied by Captain King (assistant superintendent of the Union Steam Ship Company) and two or three other gentlemen, left Port Chalmers on one of the Union Company's motor launches. The weather was beautifully fine and the sea calm enough to permit of easy access to the stranded vessel.

Members of the party left the launch at Harrington Point and walked over the hill to the scene of the wreck. A launch carrying diving gear went round the coast to tiie Tyrone. After arriving at the sceno of tho \i reck, Mr Harry Pritchard, in charge of the launch, performed an act of clever seamanship. After circling round in close proximity to the vessel to spy out his way, he waited for a favourable opportunity to take his launch under the Tyrone's stem to smooth water between the steamer and the shore. He performed this apparently impossible feat by dashing through a narrow opening on the crest of a large wave. Shortly afterwards diving-gear was rigged and, working between the ship and the shore, Diver Miller made three descents during the day. As far as was possiblo he made careful survey of tho vessel's hull. He reports that the Tyrone is resting firmly on level sand. So far as he could see she was not resting on any rock whatever.

This information proved to be quite the reverse of tho opinions formed by those who had observed the vessel from tho seaward side.

From information supplied by Mr Morrison this evening, the vessel is, with the exception of ono or two holes in her hull, structurally intact and should sustain no further damage unless heavy weather sets in from tho south-west.

The Union Company's powerful tug Terawhiti is under orders to come down from Wellington with all despatch, and to-morrow a donkey-boiler and two pumps will be sent out to the wreck. Hopes are entertained that tho vessel will bo refloated.

[From Oor Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, September 30. Whisky bulks largely in the cargo of the wrecked steamer Tyrone. There are 1238 cases and 50 casks of whisky in the holds. Besides this there is a quantity of tin, paint and pig-iron.