THE NORTHUMBERLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20022, 12 February 1927, Page 9

THE NORTHUMBERLAND.

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. an unbvbntfux. passage. (Spboiax to Daily Timm.) AUCKLAND, February DL The disabled steamer Northumberland brought safely into port to-day and berthed at King’, wharf preparatory to going tino dock for repairs. The damaged vessel made her appearance round the North Head at 11.30 a.in , steaming very slowly _ with tlie Wellington Salvage tug Terawhiti in attendance and was tied up to the wharf without a hitch an hour late r with only tne semblance of a list, and not more than two feet down by the hqgd. It was evident that the measures taken to safeguard the ship had proved entirely efficacious —an impression that was confirmed when it became known that the pumps were no longer working. When the liner pulled alongside there was 2?it of water in No. 2 bold, compared with 36ft when she put into Gisborne after the collision with a submerged rock 17 days ago. Everyone was smiling when the New Zealand Shipping Company’s officials and underwriters’ representative went on board the liner at 12.30 p.m. Satisfaction with the outcome of the salvage operations and the safe arrival of the vessel in port was expressed on every hand. In spite of untold difficulties and early discouragements, the collision mats which had been strapped over the three holes in the steamer’s null had held fast. The rise of water in the hold had been reduced to a minimum and the passage from Gisborne had been accomplished within the estimated time, though the average speed had been reduced to 4.64 knots to ensure that the mats would not be carried away. The trip was completed in 64 hours, a satisfactory result considering the steamer’s condition. Before leaving Gisborne for the second time every possible precaution had been taken to guard against eventualities which caused her to put back into the roadstead on February 3. The collision mats were renewed and replaced with extra care and trouble. The lower hatch of No. 2 hold was thoroughly sealed with pitch and covered with a layer of concrete to prevent the water penetrating and spreading through the ship. The bulkheads on either side of No. 2 hold were shored up to strengthen them against water pressure, and an air cushion was set below the hatch, air being forced down by a compressor in an attempt to lower the water level. Before taking her departure the liner had ft pro nounccd list, and was well down at idle how. In order to correct these tendencies the water tanks in the forepart of the ship were emptied, and those aft wore filled, while a quantity of heavy cargo removed from No. 1 hold was stacked on_ after deck to counteract the forward tip. These measures, apart from the reduction of the volume of water in the hold, very largely accounted for the oven keel presented by the liner as she steamed back into port. Everything being ready the Northumberland sailed out of Gisborne at 4.45 p.m. ou Tuesday last. In addition to her officers and crew she carried Captain W. Olphert, marine superintendent for the New Zealand Shipping Company, and Captain C. C. Plunkett, Lloyds surveyor at Auckland, both of whom were in charge of the salvage operations at Gisborne, and Mr F. Goodman, of Gisborne. After clearing tha East Cape light easterly winds wore experienced—a very favourable circumstance. together with a moderate east ana south-easterly swell. It wap not considered necessary to hug the coastline crossing the Bay of Plenty as the pumps were deemed competent to oope with any inrush of water should the collision mats and the sealed hatches fail in their purpose. The presence of the Terawhiti lent further safety as the tug would have been able to tow the steamer in shore should circumstances have arisen that would have necessitated the vessel being beached. The steamer’s course was therefore taken in the usual direction outside White Island. The tug kept within signalling distance of the liner the whole of the way, steaming from 500 to 400 yards on the Northumberland’s quarter. Not once was it necessary to call upon her for assistance. The passage was not without its anxieties, however. A day out from Gisborne it was found that once again the water was gaining in the hold, but an investigation showed that the breach was a comparatively minor one and it was sealed after some difficulty. The remainder of the trip was without incident, and it was necessary to keep only one pump in operation and that only at intervals. , Soon after the liner was tied up at the wharf to-day a start was made in the task of removing the balance of the cargo from Nos. 1 and 3 holds. Part of the cargo from these holds was put out at Gisborne and the remainder is only now being discharged in order that the steamer may be trimmed before going into dock. The cargo in No. 2 hold is, of course, still under water and is sealed down under the hatch. It js expected that the liner will go into dock next week. Work is still proceeding at the Calliope to prepare the dock for the vessel’fi reception. It is anticipated that a general average will shortly be struck on the cargo salvaged from the disabled steamer. The Auckland consignees will not be affected as all the Auckland cargo was discharged at this port when the vessel arrived from Liverpool on January 15., Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin arc the ports to which the remainder of the cargo wag destined. The tug Terawhiti berthed at Princes wharf after the Northumberland arrived and it is assumed she will return to Wellington as soon as she ha? replenished her hunkers.