CARGO SALVAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13649, 17 January 1908, Page 7

CARGO SALVAGE.

ELLINGTON DIVER'S WORK. SoMK particulars appeared in a recent issue of the "Wellington Post concerning the salving operations, from vessels wrecked on the coasts around Wellington, conducted for Mr. A. M. Gow by Diver Dixon and his assistant (Mr. P. Ross). These have been continued during the last week, and some discoveries of present and prospective value have been made. From the wreck of the ship Haleione, lying some fathoms deep in Pity.ro Bay, beyond Pencarrow Head, several solid brass portholes have been recovered, and it is hoped to secure the whole thirty at a subsequent endeavour. Bach of them weighs 301b, and the present value is set down at lOd per lb. A few hundredweights of lead have been brought up, but though many big rolls of one-ton weight each were located, in a position presenting no obstacles to straight lifting, the strength of the hauling appliances then available was not equal to raising them, and they had to be left until steam-lifting appliances could bo arranged for. The samples of lead recovered have been valued at over £20 a ton by a Wellington tradesman. The Haleione lies split in halves, and there is unusual facility for salving such parts of her cargo as retain their value after an immersion of 14 years in the salt water. Amongst the articles secured by Diver Dixon on his last visit was the capstan head of tho vessel. This has been cleaned up since it was recovered, and the 6uporsoription, "Haleione, I860," is to be seen upon it in almost as perfect condition as it was when first put there. There are tons of window sash weights on -tho vessel, and though those are a bit rusted they ax© still serviceable. A few hundredweights of them havo already been salved, and it is hoped to secure the lot. The diver's work has been largely in the nature of a survey hitherto, and it is anticipated that much more substantial returns will follow the coming operations. The barque Woollahra, which was wrecked off Karori rocks last year, is another vessel upon which the party intends to prosecute salvage operations. There is said to bo a valuable lot of railway iron and bolts on board of her. A visit was paid by tho salvagers to tho wreck of tho steamer Nambucca, which sank off Sinclair Head a few years ago. She was a wooden boat with iron ribs, but only her ribs now remain, and her cargo has entirely disappeared.