GREAT SALVAGE TASK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19028, 27 May 1925, Page 13

GREAT SALVAGE TASK.

THE CITY OF SINGAPORE. LONG TOW OF 13,000 MILES. OWNER VISITING AUCKLAND. A salvage operation which if it succeeds will bo unique in tho history of shipping is now being undertaken by tho salvaging firm of Russell and Son, London. Mr. W. J. Russell, head of the firm, who arrived in Auckland yesterday by tho Maunganui from Sydney, bought tho Ellerman liner, City of Singapore, which was seriously damaged by fire and explosion at Adelaide, in April, 1924. Temporary repairs were effected at Adelaide and the vessel is now being towed by two tugs to Rotterdam, where the ship will be reconditioned and, as Mr. Russell hopes, restored to the A 1 class at Lloyds. " After the disaster to tho ship the underwriters sent their representatives to Australia to got the ship put in order and restored to hex- original class," Mr. Russell said. " Repairs it was alleged could not be effected on an economical basis or, in other words, within the radius of tho underwriters' liabilities and therefore the vessel was abandoned as a. constructive total loss. Sho was then offered for sale for several months and advertised in all the States, but no one would buy her. As ii last resource sho w&s offered lome in London as she lay. I examined the reports of the surveyors to Lloyds register, underwriters' representatives, captain nnd the engineers of the vessel, vent, over the vessel's-plans, and name to tho conclusion that tho job was not hopel«s and bought her " The state of labour in Australia and (.he high cost, prevented tho reconditioning bojiig done there and Mr. Russoll decided that the City of Singapore should be towed to Rotterdam where it is proposed the repairs will ho carried out. Temporary repair:? necessary for the voyage were effected at Adelaide. The vessel left Adelaide on April 11 Inst and cleared Froniantlo on April 28.

The distance which the two tugs will have to cover with an empt.f, powerless and unwioldly semi-derelict in tow is approximately 13,000 miles, and the journey is expected to take some five months.

"Such a task has never before been undertaken by 'a salvaging firm and tugs have never before set. out on such a journey with a vessel of 6567 tons in tow," said Mr. Russell. "I am confident of success, otherwise I would never have come right out to Australia."

Mr. Russell's son is taking tho, City of Singapore to Rotterdam. Mr. Russell will remain in the North Island until June 0. when he will sail from Auckland by tho Niagara for Vancouver on return to London.