STILL ON REEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26367, 23 January 1947, Page 4

STILL ON REEF

DAMAGE TO LINER REPORT OF DIVERS SALVAGE EFFORT DELAYED P.A. WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. The proposed main attempt to refloat the Wanganella was postponed from high tide this afternoon for 12 or 24 hours. At the morning high tide, the stern was revealed, as formerly, almost as far down as the rudder. Beneath the bridge, the hull appeared to have weakened and at low water the trough of the swell showed the bottom of the bow torn away for an indeterminable length. A big gash was apparent where the rock below the bridge had gored the plates on striking. Divers estimated the aperature at 12 feet in length with 17 feet of water in both forward holds and a weakness apparently developing aft of the bridge. Doubts were held whether the actual tugging effort would be made in time. The turning point appeared to be the discharge about 3.30 p.m. of about 600 tons of fuel oil. This ran like a dark river, 200 yards wide and a mile long out into Cook Strait. Following this, the position was somewhat easier, though still grave. This action means a chance of further preparing the vulnerable parts of the ship for the consequences contingent upon her successful removal from the-rocks. The weather was still northerly and conditions generally warranted a little optimism. Though the tugs Kahanui, Toia and Terawhiti moved down the harbour to the Wanganella, they were eventually despatched to starboard of the liner where they remained with a certain amount of shelter offered by the reef from the blustering northerly. Riding on the reef, and taking the strain at her stem on kedge anchors, the Wanganella prepared to pass her fourth night aground. About 100 members of the Wanganella’s crew are returning to Australia by the first liner with berths available, which is expected to be the Dominion Monarch sailing from Wellington on January 31. The Huddart Parker Company’s marine underwriter, Captain McDonald, of Melbourne, is expected in Wellington to-morrow and an official statement may be made after he has examined the ship. Several inquiries from overseas salvage firms have been received in Wellington concerning the Wanganella.