SUNKEN TUG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23115, 13 August 1938, Page 16

SUNKEN TUG

LIFTING NEXT WEEK HOLE NOT YET CLEARED VESSEL'S LIST INTO MUD The Auckland Harbour Board's tug To Awhina still lies partly embedded in the mud of the harbour bottom, where she foundered on Thursday morning after being struck below the waterline by the starboard propeller of the Federal Line's motor-ship Essex while helping to berth the liner at Central Wharf. Preparations to lift the tug into shallower water were continued yesterday, but it is not expected that the lifting will be done until early next week, possibly on Tuesday'. Dredging Operations Efforts were concentrated yesterday upon dredging away enough of the mud on the Te Awhina's port side to allow a diver to investigate the damage done. When she foundered, the tug took a list on to the side where she was holed. As a result, the diver who has been working on the vessel has been unable to discover the nature of the damage. Mud is completely blocking the hole and, although a grab dredge was manoeuvred alongside yesterday morning to clear away some of this obstruction, the hole has not yet been revealed. The diver, however, was able to assist the dredge by giving instructions about the way the mud lias to be dredged. Interested Spectators It is at present proposed to bracket the tug between two scows, and then lift her toward shallower water by the use of lines passed beneath her hull. When the vessel has been brought into shallow water, divers will be able to estimate the damage, and temporary repairs will probably bo made before she is taken to the slip. A constant stream of people went to the Western Viaduct yesterday to look at the foundered craft. It did not seem that she had settled any further _ into the mud, most of her flying bridge, funnel, derricks and mast being visible at low water. Statement by Chairman Unless unusual difficulties occur as the result of severe weather, the work of tho harbour can bo undertaken at this period of the year by the board's other tug, William C. Daldy, according to a statement by the chairman of the board, Mr. W. B. Darlow, yesterday. Ho pointed out that the tourist season was over, and before the heavy passenger traffic recommenced it was hoped to have the Te Awhina recommissioned.