CREWS HEROIC WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1926, Page 7

CREWS HEROIC WORK.

WATER GAINS SLOWLY. 1 * FURNACE FIRES DAMPED. . . By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland. Last Night. The steamer Rimu arrived back from the wreck of the Manaia this morning, bringing all the crew to Auckland. After the transfer of passengers to the Ngapuhi at two o’clock on Friday afternoon the situation of the Manaia became hopeless. A long swell caused the illfated ship to heave and grind, every movement aggravating the damage done to her bows and increasing the inrush of water. Both port and starboard engines were kept running ahead as it was feared the heavy swell might carry the vessel back into deep water. Early on Friday afternoon the water in rhe forehoid, which had been increasing since the ship struck, got out of hand. At 4 p.m. the water spread to the engine room and the after hold. Every pump was running up to full capacity but the water still rose. At five o’clock the position became eri- ; tical. The stokers were working knee' deep in water to maintain a head of steam for the engines. The engineers were toiling in the rising water which washed about the machinery and gathered a thick film of oil on its surface. Shortly after six o’clock the furnaces were fired for the last time and the stokehold was vacated as the water rose round the boilers. Within a few minutes the furnaces were extinguished by the flooding and at 6.20 p.m. the Manaia’s engines stopped for the first time since she struck. Wireless communication was kept up with the Rimu and as the holds were now filled all the crew left in the boats for the Rimu, with the exception of the captain, chief steward, first mate and the chief engineer, who spent the night aboard. They were in touch with the Rimu by wireless, however, and could have left if the unexpected happened. WORK OF SALVAGING. Salvage operations commenced on Satorday morning. Four lifeboats were kept in operation between the Rimu and the Manaia. The salvage gang first cleared ail the portable equipment and then attacked the fixtures with sledge hammers and coal chisels and the saloon and cabins were cleared of furniture. The engineers spent the day removing the small machine fittings, etc. The only cargo not put aboard the Motu is a few eases of fruit in the front hold. The Manaia is now bumping with the rise and fall of the tide and there is practically no hope of getting her off. Good work was done by the crew of , the steamer Rimu and all were weary when the operations were completed. Statements made by the wrecked steamer’s crew bear out the stories of the passengers already given. The erew were housed forward, and when the ship struck some were thrown from their bunks, but no one was injured. They all saved their personal effects.