Explosives May Be | Used To Shift Liner

Northern Advocate, 23 January 1947, Page 6

Explosives May Be | Used To Shift Liner

IWANGANELLA

j (P.a.) , WELLINGTON. This Day. j THERE were reports today that explosives were likely to 'be used in an attempt to move the Wanganella and that preliminary measures for that purpose were already being taken. According to these reports a considerable quantity of cable was taken this morning to the Seatoun coast, near which the ship is lying, the object being to connect an insulated line with tl, c Wanganella and permit electrical detonation from the shore.

The cable was reported to be 1000 yards long’, and a similar quantity is reported to be on the way by air from Auckland today, apparently from the Navy authorities. Inquiries so far from the Navy bring no information, but Huddart-Pr.rker officials said no actual proposals to use explosives had yet been made, but Naval cooperation was available if needed, and a Naval expert was participating in the salvage discussions in an advisory caDacity. GOVERNMENT IN DARK

and the company, said he was quite in the dark regarding proposals for salvage, and did not sec why full information was not available. The Government was unquestionably interested in the provision of an adequate shipping connection to New Zealand and was prepared to help at all times with advice and other means.

One authority said that such severe methods as the use of explosives would normally be avoided, but might be forced on those trying to save the liner if the weather deteriorated. The use of explosives was feasible, and indeed had been one of the earliest ideas for the job. A Government shipping official, while admitting that responsibility for the salvage was with the underwriters

MAJOR EFFORT POSTPONED Postponed again late yesterday afternoon the expected major effort to dislodge the Wanganella from Barrett’s Reef remains a subject of conjecture. The manager of the Huddart-Parker Company in Wellington (Mr N. D. McLean) said this morning that no statement was yet available regarding the position.

No decision concerning salvage would be made without the opinion of Captain McDonald, marine underwriter and surveyor from Melbourne, "who has joined Mr D. E. Eadie. of Sydney, marine superintendent of the Huddnrt Parker Line, who made a prolonged inspection of Die Wanganella yesterday PRELIMINARY TALKS As preliminary discussions. Captains McDonald and Eadie, and Mr McLean held an hour's consultation this morning with officials of the Wellington I-larbeur Board, and Mr McLean said afterwards that, as far as he knew, salvage operations would be under the command of Captain McDonald. Probably a further expert examination will be made this afternoon by Captains McDonald and Eadie, Harbour Beard officials, and a surveyor representing Lloyds. Variable weather conditions continue but the wind had not set in strongly from any quarter for long duration. Today there were periods of calm.

with the wind, which has lately been fairly strong and gusty from the northwest. turning to the south. The outlook until 5 p.m. tomorrow is for light to moderate southerlies, turning south-west tomorrow, with the weather fair and mild, but the further outlook is unsettled.

LUCKY WITH WEATHER There is rio doubt that the Wanganella has been exceedingly favoured by the weather not developing from the dangerous quarter—the south.

Though no serious towing attempt was made late yesterday it is evident that one is intended.

Mr McLean said today that ail practicable measures to lighten the" ship were being taken.

A strain was placed on the Wanganella by two tugs from 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. today, but it was not an attempt to move the liner. An attempt was apparently being made to swing her shorewards from astern.

It was reported that the liner had requested >he return of the ship's doctor, who went ashore, but the reason was not stated.

He went out in the pilot launch Arahina at 10.30 a.m.

High water today is at 5.55 p.m. and there should be a special attempt to move the liner.