DREDGE SINKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22983, 10 March 1938, Page 14

DREDGE SINKS

GOLD RECOVERY PLANT ESCAPE OF WORKMEN SUBMERGED LOG STRUCK CRAFT SETTLES RAPIDLY [by telegraph OWN CORRESPONDENT]) GREYMOUTH, Wednesday The Stafford Dredging Company'n gold dredge at Stafford, on the main road between Greymouth and Hokitika, sank in about 20ft. of water at 7.30 o'clock this evening. It is believed thai; the starboard bow struck a submerged log. The craft sank in throe minutes. The dredge was suddenly halted with a severe jerk, and it is that the front was stove in and damaged considerably. As it sank so rapidly tha three men working on the shift, Messrs. S. de Fillipi and W. and J. Routham, had miraculous escapes. Thev had to leave hurriedly by a gangway. The dredge now lies on its side in the dam, partly submerged. Jtr will be a substantial task refloating it. The dam will either have to be drained or pumped out in order to ascertain the extent of the damage and to effect repairs. The plant, which is electrically driven, is fitted with link buckets with a 4ft. cubic content. It is operated by an Australian company, Mr. J. S. Langford, of Hokitika, being the New Zealand director. It has been workir.g for the past four years and good returns were being obtained after a period of operation over much poorer ground. Fourteen men are affected by the sinking of the dredge and some weeks will elapse before it can again be put into operation.