THE VALMARIE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18430, 14 March 1922, Page 6

THE VALMARIE.

SALVAGE OPERATIONS. SCOW KOHI’S UNSUCCESSFUL VENTURE. HEAVY SURF RUNNING. The auxiliary deck scow Kohi arrived at Wellington on Sunday night, after an unsuccessful visit, for the purpose of cargo salvaging, to the scene near Farewell Spit Lighthoused where the schooner Valmarie is ashore with a load of hardwood. A heavy surf prevented the Kohi getting within a mile of the Valmarie sp the attempt was abandoned. At daybreak on Thursday morning the Kohi stood right in, but as there was a big surf she was compelled to anchor no nearer than a mile from the Valmarie. A boat was lowered from the Kohi and was manned by Captain Nalder, of that vessel. his mate, and a master stevedore. After an adventurous experience in the surf the Kohi’s boat got alongside the Valmarie, and was hoiiited on board. After a consultation it was agreed that there was no posibility of salvaging the Valmarie’s cargo of hardwood by sea, as there Is almost continuously a heavy surf in that vicinity. The Kohi’s boat was lowered from the Valmarie, and after a risky struggle against the surf, the rowers managing to make the scow again without mishap. Two hours after anchoring the Kohi put to sea again, and proceeded to Omakaka. loaded sand for the delivery to the’ Miramar gasworks. Those who visited the Valmarie from the Kohl state that the whole of the schooner’s cargo of hardwood is still aboard her. The vessel has settled some feet down in the sand, and although the water was all round her at high tide it was possible to jump from the end of the jibboom o nto the dry sand. The :«:hooner Is on an even keel, is apparently quite undamaged, and all her top hamper Is in good order. A suggestion has been made that It may be possible to salve the vessel’s cargo by landing It on the beach and conveying it overland to the other of the spit. Mr Archibald Walker, surveyor for Lloyd’s Register, will leave Wellington again to-day for the Valmarie to endeavour to refloat the vessel on this week’s spring tlae.