The Wanganui Chronicle. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24,1947. THE EPIC OF THE WANGANELLA

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 February 1947, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24,1947. THE EPIC OF THE WANGANELLA

r TIIE stranding of the m.v. Wanganella on Barrett’s Reef was the opening of a series of events which, together, make an epic story of determination and resource to save a fine vessel from destruction. That story will be worthy of retailing in the years to come.

Barrett’s Reef is an ugly line of rocks at the entrance of Wellington Harbour. Over the years it has claimed many victims, but the Wanganella is the first large vessel to be stranded upon its jagged teeth. How this ship found its way there will be the subject of a properly-constituted enquiry when the whole of the circumstances and the evidence will be reviewed. The outcome of this enquiry will be awaited with interest. Anticipations would be decidedly out of place and should not be indulged in. The problem of refloating the ship was tackled immediately the stranding occurred. The cargo was removed in calm weather; the ship’s hold was sealed, and compressed air was pumped into chambers to provide added buoyancy. Then, when the tide was high, an effort was made by the employment of tugs and by the propulsion of the ship’s own engines to draw the vessel off the reef. Gradually the task was completed and when once afloat the thousands of interested spectators who lined the hills to watch the operation shouted their applause and thereby registered their glee that a maritime and national loss had been averted. Had the weather changed a disaster would possibly not have been avoided. But that elusive factor Luck was with the salvagers on this occasion.

The operation was tied to that other epic of the sea—the recovery of the Niagara’s gold from the flooi’ of the Hauraki Gulf. The diver who carried out that world renowned task was sought in Melbourne, flown to Wellington. and supterintended the task of underwater operations. Gradually the wounded Leviathan was brought to the wharfside in 'Wellington Harbour, there to experience one of the most severe gales in the history of the port. Fortunate it is that Wellington is practically a tideless harbour, for even with the natural protection of the hills the ship’s moorings were severely strained and needed attention. Again Luck was with the workers of rescue and at last the time came for the ship to he berthed in the floating dock. The Floating Dock! Here again the Epic of the Wanganella salvaging touched another outstanding feat of seamanship. The Floating Dock was constructed in the United Kingdom and was towed half way round the world to its present position. It encountered wind and weather during the long towage—the longest then on record in the annals of the sea. But despite all difficulties the Floating Dock was brought to its berthing with success. This equipment, with other facilities, makes Wellington one of the finest ports in the world. The Wanganella now rests comfortably in the protecting bosum of the Floating Dock. It would be a splendid tale to tell if it were true that all good men worked together with a will to save a splendid vessel at a time when the world can not afford to lose one single ton of shipping. It would have been an encouraging story to tell to the whole of the people of Australia and New Zealand that the Transtasman shipping service was the concern of every man that was connected with the Wanganella salvage. Unfortunately Ihe story cannot end on that note of co-operation and triumph. The story is marred by the many discordant notes that have been struck. Strikes and threats of strikes have had lo be written into the record of the effort. It would appear that men who were essential to the salvaging of the Wanganella were so insistent upon their demands being met that they were apparently prepared to allow the ship to become a wreck. At the last moment, when the ship was to be taken to the Floating Dock, the seamen were not available for the last task in the struggle and the tugs were to remain idle and useless. This goes against all the traditions of the sea, for the love of their ships is inherent in seamen. It is, indeed, distressing to be compelled to acknowledge that I his tradition can be so laid aside. There is, however, another side to this picture. Salvage operations are always urgency tasks; the risk is between paying salvage, which is always high if compared with a daily wage basis and complete loss of the vessel. The risk was a vessel on which half a million of money had been spent in reconditioning it to civilian requirements. Obviously it is worthwhile paying high rates for salvage operations. That much must be coneeded. The men concerned in sueh work are entitled to receive a good remuneration, all things considered. The extra payments made to the workers concerned may or may not be adequate. But the extra payment was forthcoming for each category of workers for the working hours when the vessel was in no immediate danger. Had the'situation changed the sailors could have been quickly taken off the ship. The high rate of pay to the watersiders seems, on the face of things, out of line with the rate paid to the sailors and stewards, but the period of their employment was' short, whereas the members of the ship’s crew were in constant employment and could afford to take a lower rate of additional reeompence. An eight-hour working day for seven days a week would return each man £l4 additional pay weekly, which cannot be claimed to be small. There does not appear to be any cause for tears being shed on the sailors’ behalf, nor docs an additional claim for payment during off-watch periods seem to be merited because there wus virtually no added risks. In view of the measure of risk that was ever present the matter, however, is arguable and some reeompence might be claimed on that account, but to refuse to place the vessel in the Floating Dock pending a settlement seems to he taking advantage of a difficult situation to force a claim. The seamen acted in defiance of the traditions of the sea. but in conformity with the instructions from their union. Such a situation ought not. to have arisen, for Hie rates of pay to meet such an emergency should have been speedily determined and approved by a judicial body. The approval of the judicial authority should be sustained by the whole community. Unfortunately this sustaining effort is not of the order of to-day in either Australia or New Zealand.