THE TONGARIRO WRECK

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17263, 2 September 1916, Page 9

THE TONGARIRO WRECK

POSITION OF THE VESSEL. Difficulties of salvage. , * . • / [Per Pres* Association.] WELLINGTON, September 1. The Secretary of the Post Office has received a telegram from the postmaster at .Wairoa (Hawke’s Bay) to the effect that Mr Ormond, of Mahia, reports the wrecked steamer Tongariro is high and dry on the Bull Rock at low water. There are several small steamvis working at her. [Per. Press Association.] NAPIER, September 1. The small steamships Weka, Ahuriri, Fanny, Koutunui aud Tu Atu all are engaged in lightering operations at the scene of tho wreck of the TongaWELLINGTON, September 1. The local manager of tile Now Zealand Shipping Comp Any was advised to-night that salvage ot the Tongariro’s cargo presents grave difficulty owing to ine fact than no steamer is able to go alongside and all goods must be moved by; hand and transferred to surf boats, no power being available on the ship. Fifty-one packages of bullion have beep saved, also the liv© stock, consisting of a bitch and five pups consigned to Wellington, and a crate of canaries for Lyttelton. A peculiar position has arisen affecting the crew, owing to tho fact that the vessel's articles are still aboard. Most of. the'crew iiro in Wellington and want to go new jobs, but cannot sign -on another ship till they sign oil' the Tongariro. Iho articles are expected boro by next Tuesday. if the sea remains calm it is hoped that good progress will bo made with salvage', but it weather comes up from tho north or the east the ship may slip oil into deep water. .. LATEST NEWS' FROM THE WRECK. > VESSEL SLOWLY SINKING. SEA INCREASING. NO CARGO CAN BE SALVAGED. NAPIER, September 1. ' The Te Aroha arrived at ll p.m. tonight from the wreck, bringing the petty officers and some of the. crew. The captain, chief officer and chief engineer. remain at the scene. A member of the crew states that the . vessel was travelling at twelve knots when she struck between three rocks. She is now slowly sinking, and t,lm. sea is-rising. ' She is expected to break up ir slip off by the end of the week. There is a big split right down from the bow. Tho slant of the deck has increased, yaud water-now is over thestarboard side. ■ . Lightering operations have, censed, owing to the rough sen. The engine room and some of the holds are flooded. No cargo can be salvaged.- It woul be useless, as it is spoiled in any case. Vessels are still standing by.