THE TRAFALGAR DREDGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 24

THE TRAFALGAR DREDGE.

The directors of the Trafalgar Gold Dredging Company have made arrangements with Mr Gates, a diver, to proceed to the claim and ascertain the cause of the sinking of the machine. Mr Gates is expected to reach tke scene to-morrow. Mr H. F. Nees, who, in company with the dredgemaster, visited the dredge, reports that she is lying with the elevator against the tailings and the dot about 12ft from the face. There is 10ft of water over the deck aft, and about 12ft forward. The rtredge is lying in as good a position as could be expected, as the winchman hauled her in against the tailings when he found that she was sinking. The dredge does not appear to have sustained any damage by straining, but, though she is in a level position, soundings show that only the bow and stern are resting on the bottom. Up to the present the cause of the mishap has not been discovered. It appears that the machinery had been stopped to allow of a stone being taken out of the bucket belt, and as soon as the ladder wa3 raised, so as to release the stone, the dredge was noticed t) be sinking. She went down so quickly that the men had barely time to get ashore. The fireman had been b?'.o t a quarter of an hour prior to the accident, and there was 1:0 water in the pontoons at that time. The machine is lying on the side furthest away from the creek, and as she is protected by a small bank the danger of her being silted up is less than it would otherwise bo.