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Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 265, 15 September 1879, Page 3

dyiiaraito down tho hollow iron masts, Tho result of th» oxplosion was two distinct reports and a column of water 40ft. high, and the divers found that the head of the mast had been blown entirely away, the rigging disappearing into tho darkness below. The next explosion was two 501b charges introduced 12 feet down tho ma t and this was completely successful. The mast having disappeared, the main mast was attacked by a 701b dynamite charge. The result was tremendous. A piece of the mast 40ft long shot upwards above the surface for two-thirds of its length, and fell witll'asrcnt splash. Only half-a-dozen filrwere found, the previous explosion Jgjin? effectually driven all fish away. FWnis explosion 400 ft of electric cable \jfyl ikt, and although the diver descended 100 ft he could not recover it. The final explosion was with 501b of dynamic, tied round the stump of the only remaining mast, and this was successful in sweeping over tho wreck to a depth of fourteen fiitbams. The operations were tlen concluded, and the Vanguard was finally abandoned. Lieutenant Durnford under whom the whole operations have been conducted has received warm congratulations. Not a single misfire occurred throughout the work, the success of which will enable the Admiralty to remove the wreck-ship Petrol, which has ever since the disaster been stationed on the spot, and a saving of £ISOO per annum will thus bo effected.