PLOT TO WRECK SHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20254, 14 May 1929, Page 8

PLOT TO WRECK SHIP.

GELIGNITE IN ENGINE ROOM

EXPLOSION JUST AVERTED.

CUTTING OF MOORING LINE.

EARLY MORNING DISCOVERY.

[BY TELEGRArH.—-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WANGANUI, Monday. A box containing 51b. of gelignite, with the necessary caps and fuses, was placed in tho engine room of the Wanganui River Service steamer Wakapai as she lay at the Pipiriki Wharf last night. Tho fuse was lit, but it went out after it had burned to within a few inches of the cap. The steamer was tied up at the Pipiriki Wharf and access was gained to the engine room by breaking a window. The gelignite was placed adjacent to the engine, a cap was attached and a length of fuse was joined and run out to the shore. Evidently the culprit took the end of the fuse ashore and then cut one of the mooring ropes, with the result that the steamer swung out into the stream. Then the fuse was ignited, but fortunately the plan miscarried and the cap was not ignited. Mr. R. Hatri'ck. managing director of the Wanganui River Service, Ltd., said the fuse was discovered by Mr. D. Harris, the engineer. Nobody slept on board, but it was the usual practice of the engineer to have a few hours' sleep at night and then go on board and read. He did this on Sunday, and it was approximately 1.30 a.m. when he made the discovery of the fuse and the box of gelignite. The explosive material was a new 51b. box of gelignite and from the way in which it had been set it would appear that whoever was responsible for the deed was an amateur. Everybody connected with the river service is at a loss to understand, why such an attempt was made. Mr. Hatrick said he knew of no person who entertained ill-will against the service.