"NEVER TO FLOAT AGAIN."

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15306, 20 May 1913, Page 8

"NEVER TO FLOAT AGAIN."

AN EXPERT'S OPINION: ~

SINKING IN SOFT SAND.

[ [BY TFIiGRAFH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Monday. It is the opinion of Captain J. Crotty, master of the Stormbird, that the Indrabarah is doomed, and that there is practically no chance of ever getting her off. Captain Crotty speaks with an experience of over 20 years on that coast, and says that in all that time he has never yet seen a boat beached on the stretch of coast on which the Indrabarah is lying, and get off. Even a much smaller craft, the Fusilier, for instance, once on Rangitikei Beach, has remained. there ever since.

The Terawhiti and Stormbird, it was reported, had got alongside the stranded vessel, but this is incorrect. The Stormbird was always at least some 300 yds off, and Captain Grotty says she had then only somo 16ft of water beneath her. In his opinion it would be unsafe for small boats to go. much further in, as it was very probable they would find the sand. The Indrabarah is firmly embedded in sand. Once the hard crust on the beach is broken through the sand below becomes alive.. The Tyser boat, though still well out of the water, is burrowing . deeper every day, and every day the encircling sand rises about her hull.

"It is my private opinion," he added, that no matter what money is spent in the attempt the Indrabarah will remain where she is. She mav work a little further up the beach. At the present time I should judge there is not 3ft of water under her. Seen from well off, with her stacks smoking, she presents the appearance of sailing up the coast, but I feel that there is no hope for this big boat. If my craft could not get within, say, 200 yds of the shore safely, what chance is there for such a vessel as this?"