THE C. A. LARSEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3862, 20 March 1928, Page 79

THE C. A. LARSEN.

HALF MOON BAY, March 13.

The first stage of salvaging the C. A. Larsen has been carried out successfully. The big ship uow lies in a landlocked bay called Big Glory. Th e night before the ship was moved the forepeak was completely flooded, and she was hard aground forward. In the morning, to the great surprise of all the Stewart Islanders, sho was seen to be swinging on her anchors. On .going aboard, it was seen at once that the forepeak had been pumped dry, and that the ship had been raised forward about 10ft.

Too much praise cannot be given to the divers for their expert work in patching holes, and to Mr Les Coxhead, of Dunedin, who has charge of the salvage pumps.

At about 11 a.m. the ship began to steam slowly ahead, and with a Star boat on each side, one forward, and one aft to help the Larsen to steer, she .safely negotiated the narrow passages into Big Glory, where she lies safely sheltered from rough weather.

The salvage work is still going ahead without a stop. Under the guidance of Mr W. J. Crawford, everyone has his own particular job to do, and all are giving of their best in making the undertaking a success. It is now possible to see the damage done to ship’s stores, gear, etc. Thousands of cases of potatoes, all smothered in whale oil, have been dumped over the side and also supplies of dried fish, cement, white lead, paint—in fact, everything a whaler carries in the way of stores.

Alongside lhe Larsen is the old steamer Tarawera, still of great use in her disreputable condition. In her holds are being stored propellers, tail shafts, whale bombs, harpoons, and all heavy gear. This job has been entrusted to Stewart Islanders, and they are carrying out the work speedily and well. Mr Crawford, Lloyd’s representative from Dunedin, is giving everyone the benefit of his experience. The captain of the Larsen has started to smile again, th e members of the crew are happy, and the Stewart Island men laugh and joke at their work; but before long their labours will be completed. LLOYD’S REPRESENTATIVE. Mr W. J. Crawford, Lloyd’s representative, who has been at Stewart Island in connection with the salvage operations at the C. A. 'Larsen, returned to Dunedin on Thursday morning. He epent the greater part of the day at the Port Chalmers dock, which is being lengthened to accommodate the C. A. Larsen she leaves Paterson’s Inlet. Mr Crawford, has returned to Stewart Island.