THE STRANDED INDRABARAH.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13734, 28 May 1913, Page 6

THE STRANDED INDRABARAH.

TERAWFIITI RETURNS TO WEL-

LINGTON

THE CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, May 27

After an absence of over two wcoks from Wellington the Union Company's tug Terawhiti, which has been engaged in the salvage operations at the scene of the stranding of the Indrabarah, arrived back in Wellington this evening. Captain Watchlin was optimistic in regard to the whatice of refloating tho big boat. "They will got her off a"l right I think/ he said. "We hope next time we com© back to Wellington to have her in tow."

The Torawhiti's task has throughout been one of the greatest difficulty. The weather was very rough, only three fine days being experienced. In. those throe days she managed to lay three anchors, which are now taking the strain off the seaward hawsers, while two lines from the stranded vessel have boon attached to anchors buried in the sand inshore. In the' heavy weather the waves broke a quarter of a mile off shore, and the Tcrawhiti was at no time able to get very close to the fndrabarali.

There are only about fourteen feet of water within 250 cable lengths of her at kv,v tide. She- has now made a bed far herself in the sand, and is firmly etrlK'ddo-d, moving neither with the sea .WT the tide. She is making'no water, pp.d those* on board her are not at all in r.n uncomfortable position. After taking on board two five-ton anchors, now in the process of manufacture, and some strong cables, the Torawbiti will Icn-vo again, for Rangitikoi Bight. Tho question hag been mn-ntod of light lt-s taking tho cargo out of the •stranded vessel, but the general opinion_ scorns to bo' that there is no possibility of lighters being able to get alongside tho Indrabarah in her present position.