RAISING TUG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23123, 23 August 1938, Page 11

RAISING TUG

SUNKEN TE AWHINA SUCCESSFUL OPERATION SHIP MOVED INSHORE FIRST STAGE OF SALVAGE Lifted gently between two hopper barges on the rising tide yesterday the Auckland Harbour Board's tug 1e Awhina was moved inshore to shallower water and a firmer harbour bottom. This was the first stage in the salvage of the vessel since she sank -off the new Hobsou Wharf on August 11 after fouling the starboard propeller of the Federal Line motor-ship Essex. Ihe work was watched by a large number of spectators. Preparations for the lift were completed by the board's engineering and harbour staffs early yesterday morning. Work began at six o'clock. Until low water at 9.13 the time was spent in carefully inspecting the heavy gear, a break in which would have meant disaster. Tire Engine Engaged A fire engine, pumping 000 gallons of water a minute into the barges, brought the cralt down to their draught. Air was pumped into the water tanks ,of the To Awhina, this being calculated to reduce the weight of the lift by 25 tons. At dead low water the slack in the massive 04in. steel wire rope slings under the Te Awhina was taken up, the water was pumped out of the barges, and all waited for tlio rising tide. Before long the steel wire rope lashings on the slings began to bite into the hardwood piles making up the beams, and the. heavy timbers started to creak as they took up the strain of 400 tons. Workmen hurried here and there adjusting moorings, and driving wedges into the lashings holding the beams together. It was an anxious time. Stout Pole Breaks Lower and lower the two beams bent until there was a deflection of about 4ft. in the centre. Without warning a stout hardwood pole in oiip beam broke with a loud report. Half-tide found the beams and the barges bearing the full weight of the submerged tug. Ihe creaking of the timbers ceased. Hie tug was being slowly lifted clear of the harbour bed. An hour a'nd a-half before high water, which was at 3.26 p.m., an attempt was made bv two launches to move the vessels, but the To Awhina would not clear,the hole made by her in the mud. The 1500 h.p. tug William C. Daldv was sent for, and with the two launches pulling as well the Te Awhina was drawn out into deeper water. Lines were then brought out from a pile driver moored at the Western Viaduct and from a small floating crane anchored inshore. W itli the aid of then winches the Te Awhina was drawn to within 25 yards of the end of Hobson Wharf, where she touched bottom. The tide was full. Further Operations From this position, where there is about 20ft. of water at low tide, the tug was moved further inshore after midnight toward the corner of the wharf and the Western Viaduct. At low water, shortly before 10 o'clock, the slings were again tightened and the weight taken with the rising tide. The work was to have been completed about 4 o'clock this morning at high t' l ' o - . - i -n The Te Awhina, it is thought, will probably have to lie moved again today on the next tide. Not until the vessel is in shallow water will it be possible to repair the bull and pump her dry. She will then be placed on -the slipway at St. Mary s Bay for peimanent repairs. " A most satisfactory day," was the comment of the board's superintendent and engineer, Mr. 1). Holderncss, on the first lift yesterday when the tug was moved about 2501't.