CYRENA BREAKING UP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19505, 13 June 1925, Page 17

CYRENA BREAKING UP.

FORWARD PORTION DRIFTS ASHORE. BEACH LITTERED WITH WRECKAGE. (Psb United Press Association.) WANGANUI. Juno 12. During the night the forward portion of the steamer Cyrena drifted inshore. The stern turned completely round, exposing the broken gap to the full fury of the waves. This morning the bulkhead between No. 3 and 4 holds gave way, and thousands' of tins, cases, and barrels poured out. AVreckage litters the coast for miles. PATROLLING THE COAST. WRECKAGE OVER WIDE AREA. (F.noii Ode Own Correspondent.! WANGANUI. June 12. The unmoored broken portion of the wrecked Qyroiut drifted quite c-loso into the shore with this afternoon’s high tide. Being broadside on, it is being swept by huge waves, and crowds on the beach, despite the cold southerly, seem to got great entertainment watching the heavy seas breaking over the derelict. That portion of the Cyrena is stjjl buoyant, and the hold is full of benzine. The stern half of the ship is still moored by cable. Apart from the fact that the ship parted in the middle, there docs not appear to bo a great deal of structural damage to either of the dismembered parts. The coastline presents a remarkable appearance as barrels, broken cases, tins of benzine, and ■ broken pieces of timber are carried shorewards. Barrels resembling schools of porpoises aro bobbing about in the waves. There is plenty of evidence that the seas will do their work of destruction quickly, and effectively. Tins and cases have been deposited on the coast for miles along towards ,Kai Iwi, and the patrols have a very wide area to cover to protect (he interests of those concerned, and to prevent the pilfering which so many are apparently anxious to indulge in. The patrols are having a very unpleasant time, the southerly blow being oxtremolv cold. Heavy rain fell during the day, which made matters still more unpleasant. In the broken rases alone there appears to bo enough kindling wood to meet the requirements of Castlecliff residents for many months to come. Every effort is being made to assemble and keep control of the wreckage as it is washed ashore. The police have unearthed several lots of benzine which had been buried in the sand. Evidently several motorists were keen on getting some cheap petrol. Tho masts of the ship are still standing intact, and the lifeboats still hang in the davits. It was tho intention of the new salvage company which had been formed to break the ship in half and convey tho separate units to port for rejoining up in dock. The shipping company, it is understood, rejected the offer.