SHIP’S REPAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27384, 9 May 1950, Page 6

SHIP’S REPAIRS

Arrangements lade PRELIMINARY INQUIRY PA WELLINGTON, May 8. “The freighter Waipiata, which was rammed inside the Wellington Harbour entrance by the cargo liner Taranaki on Friday night, will enter dry dock towards the end of this week,” said an official of the Union Company. Mr D. N. Leslie, today. “The unloading of the ship will continue till she is light enough to go on the dock, where she will be given temporary re. pairs. She will then leave dock, discharge any remaining cargo and reenter dock for permanent repairs.” Shortly before noon today the Waipiata was shifted from the east side of Clyde quay wharf to the more sheltered west side by a tug. The operation took about half an hour. The Union Company has made Immediate arrangements to fill the gap left in the East Coast trade by the Waipiata. The Kaimanawa and Korowai are being withdrawn from the inter-colonial service to assist in grain shipments, and with the assistance of the Waiana, Waimarino, Kairanga and Katui, most of the difficulties are expected to be overcome. While cargo was being discharged from the Waipiata today, people on the other side of the wharf were availing themselves of the chance to fish out of the water tins of cocoa and reels ,of adhesive paper that had floated from the tom side of the damaged ship. There were hundreds of such tins and reels -floating round the harbour.

It was decided today by the Shaw Savill Line, owners of the Taranaki, to discharge all her perishable cargo and send it away in another of the company’s ships. This would also enable fyer to dock as her present tonnage, combined with that of her cargo, made her too heavy for the dock to lift. An official said the discharging of such cargo would take about a week. Once the ship was in dock it was estimated that her damage would take from five to six weeks to repair.

A preliminary Marine Department inquiry into the collision between the Waipiata and the Taranaki will be held during the next few days. The principal officers concerned and witnesses will give statements before the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, Captain H. Donald. He will then make recommendations to the Minister of Marine and from these recommendations it will be decided whether a magisterial inquiry will be held. The Marine Department stated today that the preliminary inquiry would not be open to the public or the newspapers.