DAMAGE TO MOTOR-SHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20820, 12 March 1931, Page 12

DAMAGE TO MOTOR-SHIP.

CONDITION OF THE HAURAKI.

EXTENSIVE' REPAIRS NEEDED.

LARGE COST INVOLVED.

The extensive nature of the damage caused to the motor-ship Hauraki when she grounded at New Plymouth on February 21, is' revealed by an inspection of the hull made in dock at Devonport. The ship has been holed in two places, one under the bow and the other at a spot directly under the bridge, while great elongated dents in the plates extend practically the whole length of the ship.

The damage is even greater than was at first, supposed arid will cost many thousands of pounds to repair. Engineering surveys were completed last evening. It is understood that three engineering firms are seeking the contract, which will take from three to four weeks to complete and will give employment to a large number of skilled men.

An unpleasant surprise awaited the en gineors when the water was drained out of tho dock and the hull of the vessel was exposed to view. The punctures in the plates were fully expected, but the long indentations, running from stem to stern, were unforeseen qnd add substantial difficulties and oxpense to tho repairs required. Ten plates will have to be replaced by new ones, four being near the bow, four about amidships and two at tho stern. Three other plates will have to be taken out, straightened and replaced, while 20 dents in various parts of the hull require hammering out, or "fairing." In addition, considerable repairs are needed to the floor plates inside tho hull and under tho oil tanks. No less than 11,000 or 12,000 new rivets aro required, as well as a great deal of caulking and seaming.

Tho largest hole, immediately under No. 1 oil tank, is a jagged tear, through which a man could placo his head. Tho other 'hole is smaller. Ono of the big dents runs for 63ft. along the bottom of tho bull and another is 50ft. long, involving many plates, A difficulty in repairs will be the need to send to Australia for the ten plates necessary to roplace those damaged. These plates are particularly large, tho biggest measuring 32ft. by 6ft., with a thickness of sin. Some of the plates are at least lin. thick, and each carries 500 to 700 rivets. It is impossiblo to manufacture them in Auckland.

The examination of the damaged hull was completed yesterday by the Union Company's architect, Mr. A. A. M. Taylor, of Wellington, Lloyd's surveyor in Auckland, Mr. W. R. Smith, and the company's deck repairs superintendent. Steps have been taken to remove the propellers, the 'tip of one blade being dented through contact with tho eca door. ,