THE STRANDED LINER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10657, 28 May 1913, Page 5

THE STRANDED LINER.

TERAWHITI RETURNS TO WELLINGTON.

Per Press Association

Wellington, May 27

After an absence of over two weeks from Wellington, the Union Company's tug Terawhiti, which has been engaged in salvaging operations at the scene of the stranding of the Indrabarah, arrived back in Wellington this evening. Captain Watchlin was optimistic in regard to the chances of refloating the big boat. "Their will get her off all right, I think," he said. "Wa hope next time we come "back to Wellington to have her in tow." The Terawhiti's task has throughout been of the greatest difficulty. The weather was very rough, only three fine days being experienced. In those three days" she managed to lay three anchors, which are now taking the strain of the seaward hawsers, while two lines from the stranded vessel have been attached to the anchors buried in the sand inshore. In heavy weather the waves broke a quarter of a mile off shore, and the Terawhiti was at no time able to get very close to the Indrabarah There are only about 14ft. of water within 250 cables length of her at low tide. She'has now made a bed for herself in the sand and is firmly embedded, moving neither with, the sea nor with the tide. She is making no water, and those on board her are not at all in «au uncomfortable position. After taking on board two five-ton anchors, now in processes of manufacture, and f-onie strong cables, tho Terawhiti will leave again for the Rangitikei Eight. The question has been mooted of lighters taking the cargo out of the stranded vessel, bat the general opinion seems to be <-hat there is no possibility of lighters being able to get alongside the Indrabarah in her present position.