HITS BARRETT’S REEF WELLINGTON

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 January 1947, Page 6

HITS BARRETT’S REEF WELLINGTON

Passengers Safe, But Vessel’s Fate Uncertain The fate of the Huddart Parker liner Wanganella hangs in the balance. Disaster overtook the ship at 11.43 o’clock on Sunday night when, in fair weather, she ran on to Barrett’s Reef at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. About 7 o’clock this morning a supreme effort will be made to free the Wanganella from its desperate position. All available resources were being mustered for an effort which means the life of a valuable vessel, and a great deal to the inter-colonial trade. Though the resources seem puny for so great a task, no effort has been spared to salvage the vessel. Tug Kahanui is steaming at full speed from 'Wanganui. It is just possible she will reach the scene in time to aid the Wellington tugs Terawhiti and Toia, which laboured vainly yesterday morning, and in the afternoon, to shift the vessel. Last evening salvage gear was secured from the Union Company and two heavy anchors were taken to the scene of the stranding. These were to be put out at the stern of the vessel so that she could haul on them with her own power while the tugs pulled on the hawsers. It is possible the main salvage attempt will not be made till high tide this morning.

It was known the vessel was making some water and reports stated that two holds were affected. The possibility existed of a severe holing of the liuli, which might prove serious if the vessel were removed from her cradle ot the reef. At 9 o’clock last night three pumps were taken out. two capable of shifting 700 gallons a minute, and one of 500 gallons a minute. Two divers, with full complements of helpers, Were sent out to investigate the position, and if necessary they could plug large holes in case of salvage, says a Wellington Press Association message. This, with the aid of pumps, could be a safeguard while the vessel was taken to the floating | dock in Wellington. The measure- I meats of the Wanganella were j available and blocks were put in position and all arrangements ' made for receiving the ship should

the salvage operation prove auc- ' cessful. 1 All last evening the main part of I the crew, which remained on board, toiled under the direction of the ship’s • master (Captain R. Darroch) in preparation for the next tussle. A great deal depends on the weather. Experienced seamen took the view that a slight swell from the south would be a help, while the vessel itself and lugs were hauling, to free the liner. Others held that the conditions in the afternoon gave no indication that the vessel would rise and fall. They maintained she went ashore at halftide, empty of cargo, and that at the fall following the tide the stern rose, and that but little. An inquiry at the weather bureau showed fresh southerly winds with showers were likely last night, followed by milder southerlies for a couple of days. Such weather would appear to be favourable to salvage operations. These operations, if successful, will mean, in the opinion of a marine authority, the saving of £1,500,000. which is what the Wanganella is believed to be worth as a whole ship to-day.