THE S.S. "HAWERA."

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 1 November 1912, Page 7

THE S.S. "HAWERA."

SALVAGE WORK PROCEEDING

FULL DAMAGE UNKNOWN

There is very little to report further concerning the stranding of the " Hawera" on Saturday last. Most of the cargo has been discharged, but the«holds at present are full of water which prevents the balance being handled. As soon as tho vessel is pumped out and the whole of the cargo removed, an exhaustive examination of the hull will be made. Until this is done no accurate information with regard to the full extent of the damage can be obtained. That it is extensive is shown by the fact that the vessel's decks are awash at high tide, but those in a position to judge state that being a wooden vessel there- is every prospect of the damage being repaired, provided the back of tho vessel is not broken.

The representatives of the South Taranaki Shipping Company state the reports which have been circulated to the effect that the vessel is a total wreck, and that arrangements bare ■been made for the removal of the boiler and engines, are totally incorrect. No neoision can be arrived at with regard to the repairing of the vessel or otherwise until a complete examination of tho hull has been made, and this work is impossible until tho whole of the cargo has been removed.

The "Mana" arrived'yesterday with •a ouantity of salvage gear, and the work of pumping out the holds and discharging the balance of the cargo was proceeded with at once. The. sen. since Saturday, has been moderate and littlo or no extra, damage has been done. The v«ssel is at present lvina on a sandy bottom on an even keel with scarcely rm'v motion at high tide. If the report of the experts as to her condition is p.itisfnctory tho necessary repairs will probably bo car vied out Tocallv, the boat be-no; tinulrd in on tho beach, and afterwards launched in tho river. Being a wooden vessel the task of repairing her is looked Tnon at «i commr.'.'tfvpTv M«y n\?r. Should tho rnnorL be nnfjiv-oin-nMo then tho whole* of +h=> engines, boilers, refrigfirntinff im^ohmorv. ami ■fitt-'riW will Jin remov-M and +hi vr«w?l dismantled.— "Pato:\ CnimU T>row."