POUNDED BY SEAS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 204, 29 July 1939, Page 9

POUNDED BY SEAS.

STRANDED PORT BOWEN. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, July 23. There is no change in the position of the stranded Port Line steamer Port Bowen, which lias now been ashore on Castieeliff Beach for nine days. Reports were current to-day that the vessel had moved inshore considerably. but it is officially stated that the Port Bowen has not moved.

Work was maintained to-dnv in preparing for the firing of the boilers so that steam can he got up to work the winches, generators, and refrigeration equipment. The Port Bowen was pounded from stem' to stern to-day by the heavy seas stirred up by a strong north-wes-terly wind, and it was not possible to use the lifeboat until the afternoon. A number of firemen whose services are not required have come ashore from tlie Port Bowen, hut before leaving the vessel they were requested to make no statements about the stranded liner.

STORM WEATHERED. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, July 29. The westerly gale which blew yesterday and last night dropped this morning, and the sea is moderating. The position of the Port Bowen is unaltered. She weathered the storm without damage to the hull. There was steam in the aft boilers yesterday, and the refrigerators were working. Practically all the salvage gear necessary is now at hand. Should power ou the steamer fail, portable boilers have been set up to keep the refrigerators going and preserve the valuable cargo of meat and butter, the latter alone being valued at about .£<o,ooo.

SALVAGE GEAR ARRIVES. j Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 28. With 33 tons of salvage gear, Captain D. W. Gibson, of the Port Line offices. Sydney, arrived this afternoon to superintend the salvage work of the Port Bowen, accompanied by Mr A. Bryan, of Sydney Marine Underwriters’ and Salvage Association.