THE TONGARIRO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 145084, 8 September 1916, Page 7

THE TONGARIRO.

REPORT OF THE BREAK-UP. BY HEAD OF SALVAGE CORPS, FER PRESS ASSOCIATION. NAPIER, Sept. 8.

Mr. K. M'Leay, manager for Messrs. Jlichardson and Co., who has .boon at the Tongariro wreck for the last week superintending siiivage operations, returned to Napier last night. Xu an interview this morning he stated that Wednesday las> was tho only perfect day they had experienced for salvage operations. On that day there was a gap gi 15 feet between the two portions ot the wreck and tho gap gradually increased until in the early evening tho after part was separated from tho fore part by fully 60 feet and between 10 and 11 p.m. the only parts of tho after portion loft to view were tho top of the funnel and tho after mast. On Thursday morning it was found that the remaining holds, and No. 2 forward, were flooded, the sea having got in underneath and gradually forced the cargo up against, the deck and out against the sides x>f the vessel. The pressure became so severe that gradually the sides began to bulge out from the bottom and as the process developed the deck sank until ouly tho forepcak remained above water. Under such conditions it was impossible to continue salvage operations and all tho workers were ordered back to Mr. M'Loay concluded by stating that the sea round about was otic mass of floating cargo, from pianos down to spirits and tho Koutnmn and Tuatu were doing what they coaid to hit any cargo from tho sea. /Ho expected tha most of the cargo that would float would find its way ashore between Table Capo and Taiporutu, landing on Mabia, but the southerly sea will scatter it as far up the coast as loverly A preliminary inquiry will bo held at Napier next Friday.