SALVAGE SETBACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23124, 24 August 1938, Page 14

SALVAGE SETBACK

THE TUG TE AWHINA SHIP SLIPS BACK 30FT. MUD BANK IN THE WAY DREDGING OF A PASSAGE Salvage operations tin the Auckland Harbour Board's tug To Awliina met with a setback early yesterday morning, when tho vessel slipped back 30 feet off a mud bank after having been moved further insboro on the rising tide. Tho mast was bent back slightly when it struck one of tho beams, but apart from that tliero was no damage. Tho salvage work has been suspended until a channel lias been dredged through the mud bank.

Tho method adopted on Monday, when tho tug was moved 250 feet inshore, was repeated later that night. At low water the slings were tightened and by high tide, at 4 o'clock yesterday morning, tho To Awhina was on the move again. In Deeper Water

After having been drawn inshore a further 40 foot tho partly submerged tug grounded on a mud bank. A line was made fast to the shore at the Western Viaduct and all seemed well until tho next lift. Suddenly at 5.15, the lino snapped and tho To Awhina slid back 30 feet into deeper water. An examination was hurriedly made, and to the relief of tho engineers the tug was found to bo still in tho slings. When the tide fell yesterday morning a larger portion of tho bridge, funnel and ventilators than hitherto was exposed to view. Tho vessel again rose on tho tide early in tho afternoon. The mud bank being impassable, tho two barges with tho To Awhina in their grip, were moved round by the William C. Daldy and three launches and brought In to tho end of tho new Hobson Wharf. Area of Damage The dredging of a trench through tho mud bank was begun by the dredger Hapai late in the afternoon. This should be completed to-day, and then further efforts will bo mado to get tho tug into shallower water. So far it has been impossible to inspect tho tug's hull. Tho damage is believed to bo on the port bilgo between tho engine-room and tho stokehold. To refloat tho To Awhina tho damaged portion of tho hull will bo covered with a collision mat, upon which men were working yesterday.