SALVAGE FEAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 16

SALVAGE FEAT

RAISING A WRECK 75 FEET UNDER THE SEA Without the aid of a diver or of any special equipment, the Auckland firm of Parry Bros, has accomplished a unique feat in the raising of the auxiliary scow Tamahae, from 75 feet of water near Tiritiri (states the Auckland Star). It is believed that it is the first time a salvage of the sort has been performed in deep water on the coast of New Zealand, and behind its accomplishment is a tale of weeks of endeavour. It was made under the direction of Mr I. O. Parry, The Tamahae is now in an Auckland shipbuilder’s yard, and it is stated that her hull and engines are in good condition. An inquiry will be held, probably at the end of this month, into the sinking of the vessel. FIVE WEEKS UNDER WATER The vessel, which was owned by Jones and Company, sank one night in September when beating into port with a cargo of sand aboard. The cause of the sinking has not been ascertained as yet, but it is believed that a leak developed. The vessel filled rapidly and the crew were forced to take to the dinghy, in which they made the shore safely. Later the scow was sold by the South British Insurance Company to Mr E. L. Barker, and salvage operations were undertaken on October 5. All day Friday, October 5, the Alert and the Glyn Bird searched and dragged for the vessel. On two occasions it was thought that she had been picked up, once when the Alert fouled a tree with its drag, and again later when the Glyn picked up oil on the water; but dragging operations were not successful then or on the following two days. On the Monday a systematic search was begun by the Alert and the Huawai along the coast from Brown’s Bay, gradually covering the area between there and Tiritiri, and at 7 p.m. the wreck was picked up in 75 feet of water about two miles on the harbour side of Tiritiri. It was the same place where the oil had been seen on the surface. EQUIPMENT BREAKS . For days the salvage operations were carried on, but again and again the boats were forced to give up the task because of bad weather. On Saturday, October 17, the sea calmed, and that night the Alert, Wakanui, and Glyn Bird had a hold on the vessel. It was hoped that a direct pull by the three vessels would act also as a lift, but the heavy weight of the sand cargo, which had settled, with mud, in the head, had given it a weight of about 30 tons, and it withstood their efforts. Again on the Sunday, with the Wakanui, Kumea, and Alert pulling it still stayed at the bottom. The weather again delayed operations until November 1, when the Harbour Board punt No. 8 joined the fleet of salvage vessels with the added

equipment of a five-ton winch and two six-sheave blocks and tackle. A lift was gained on the vessel, and again an attempt was made to pull her clear,,, but a IJm diameter strop, with a 37ton test, broke and remained with a mass of haulage equipment at the bottom. The attempt was made again, and for the first time the scow lifted. As soon as the lift was felt, about 7 p.m. on the Sunday, the Alert, accompanied by the Glyn Bird, began to tow the wreck towards Deep Creek. Throughout the night they towed, a rising tide assisting them, but the wreck was still 70 feet down when no further lift could be obtained. At low water a second strop was added, round the bow—the first having been round the foremast—and a further lift made. When the tide dropped the salvagers sighted the vessel for the first time with torches directed through the water. MORE DIFFICULTIES It was then seen -that the vessel was standing in a most unexpected position, with the stern up, the sand in the bow having been sufficient to over-, come the weight of the engine in the stern and thus take her down bow first. A lift was taken on both strops, and the Tamahae came up at an angle to a depth of about 40 feet. Again the \ tow was undertaken, and at 6 a.m. the vessel had been brought to within about two miles of Rangitoto beacon. The Glyn Bird had returned to port and the Alert was working alone. An effort was being made to get into the shallow water off Narrow Neck before the turn of the tide, but the scow was still in about 36ft of water when the turn came, and the Alert could do no more than hold her own. The weather was becoming bad from the north-east, and the Glyn Bird again came out. On Monday afternoon the sea was rough and with the strain that was being put thus on the gear the salvagers were in difficulties. Assistance was signalled for, picked up by Mount Victoria, and passed on to the company’s office, the 100 h.p. Wakanui being sent out. With her help the vessel was towed into Orakei Bay. There the Tamahae came almost level, her galley showing above the water. That night the salvagers had their first sleep for 40 hours. The major difficulty was now over, hut it still proved a stubborn task. With each rise of the tide the vessel filled, and the lifting operations had to be resumed again. However, on the Thursday night the Tamahae was pumped, and with the assistance of the Harbour Board transport, which has a lift of 60 tons, she was held while the sand was shifted aft to give her an even keel. When the tide came in she floated again for the first time, and was towed in to the slipway.