UNIQUE SALVAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22428, 26 May 1936, Page 6

UNIQUE SALVAGE

•#- f t STEAMEB MAHENO NEW JAPANESE PLAN ■ DISMANTLING '"ON BEACH [from our own CORRESPONDENT! SYDNEY, May ig l A salvage feat unique in Australian' ti shipping history will shortly be afc. , tempted by the Japanese owners of 'g§ the former intercolonial liner Maheno, which now lies stranded on Fraser . Island. off the Queensland coast. The ship will be broken up as she lies embedded in the sand %nd stripped down to the beach level. The parts will be carted across the island, through six miles of clinging sand, and then shipped to Japan. The salvage gear to be employed is now on its way to Fraser Island and 36 Japanese will be employed on the work, which is expected to occupy eral months. The Maheno was bought by Amakasn Brothers, of Osaka, and left Sydney on July 3 last year for Japan, in tow fl of the steamer Oonah. During a cyclone; j off the Queensland coast the ships parted company, and the helpless - Maheno was cast up on Fraser Island: Japanese salvage experts inspected the ship on two occasions, and until t&; : end of last year hopes were entertained that she could be dragged into deeper water. ■ Valued at About £17,000 The ship, however, sank deeper into the sand and now lies broadside on to the sea. Even at low tide waves splash through her shattered portholes and through the cracks in her plates. At high water there is 27ft. of water in her engine room. A few months ago the owners attempted to sell the ship as she lay, but no tenders were received. The furniture and fittings in • the meantime had been removed and shipped to the mainland. Rather than abandon the ship, which is worth about £17.000 to her owners, it has been decided to gut her up as she lies and ship the parfSr to Japan. Salvage gear "never previously used in Australia is being brought down by a special salvage ship. Arrangements have been completed with the Federal and Queensland authorities for the salvage ship to be granted pratique at Urangan, which is the nearest mainland port to the scene of the stranding, and permission has been granted for the gear and tackle to enter tho country, provided it is not afterwards sold here. Stores will be checked and any supplies consumed will be dutiable during the period the men are at work. V, The salvage ship will be unable to approach very close to the Maheno and it has been found that the materials recovered from the vessel will have to be transported across the island to the deeper water on the mainland side. It is believed that the Japanese are bringing their own carts for this purpose. . Long Tow Completed With the arrival of the old tanker • Vincas at Kobe this week the most successful tow of recent years from Australia to Japan was completed. Towed by the old freighter Kawatiri, which was commanded by Captain Hirahiri. thp Vincas left. Lakes Entrance, Victoria, on March 22. The two ships weathered a series of gales off the Queensland coast without untoward, m* cident. The vessels were connected by two tow-lines each 30Gyds lpng.The ships did not call in at any port during their long journey of 51|)0 miles. During the voyage the chief engineer died and was buried at sea. The arrival of the Vincas at her destination recalls the tragic loss of th* steamer Paringa, with all hands, off the Victorian coast in Paringa left Melbourne with the Vincas in tow and during a terrific cyclone was compelled to cast off the> tow-IiMS. The Vincas drifted into Lakes Entrance. where anchor was dropped, bnt the Paringa was never heard of again and it is believed that she foundered.