DAMAGED STEAMER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 112, 8 April 1927, Page 6

DAMAGED STEAMER.

REPAIRING THE NORTHUMBERLAND. >. , WORK PROGRESSING WELL. (By. .Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) AUCKLAND, April 7. Rapid progress is being made with the repair of the steamer Northumberland which was damaged through striking a submerged rock when on the voyage from Auckland to Napier. The contractors have pushed on the work with such dispatch that there is every reason to expect that it- will be completed within contract time, namely, Mav 26.

The large hole which gaped in the vessel's hull when she was docked six weeks ago has now been repaired with tiro .exception of one plate, which will not be put in until the last moment so as to give access to the interior of the hold to the workmen engaged in riveting. Altogether 21 new steel frames have been supplied from local stocks bent as required and placed in position. Four damaged plates have been taken out, straightened and replaced, while six new plates have been put in. The latter had to be brought over from Melbourne owing to the necessary size not being stocked locally.

The interior of No. 2 hold presents a busy scene. Conversation is rendered practically impossible owing to the deafening noise produced by ' the riveting hammers." No less than eight tons of rivets are being used in effecting the repairs, five toqp having been obtained from local 6tocks and three tons from! Sydney. It is expected that the vessel will be taken out of dock about May 19 and that the final touches will be effected while she is berthed at one of the city, wharves. She will* load at Auckland, Tokomaru Bay, Gisborne, Waikakapn, Napier and Wellington before sailing for England.