FORT ELLIOT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17990, 6 February 1924, Page 9

FORT ELLIOT.

HULL NOT ABANDONED.

FITTINGS BEING STRIPPED. (special to "the pebss.") GISBORNE, February 5. The Port Elliot has not yet been abandoned to the underwriters, and a notice is fixed on the vessel stating that she has not been abandoned. This does not mean that the vessel will ever get off the reef, for the opinion of all who have seen the wreck at close quarters is that the ship is there until she goes to pieces.

On being questioned, Mr N. Poster, local agent for Lloyd's, said it was quite true that the Port Elliot had not been abandoned. The reason for the notice being displayed on the vessel was that if it became necessary for the salvage crew to leave owing to bad weather, the first person to board her after the abandonment could lay claim to the vessel. When the notice was displayed stating that the ship had not been abandoned, the salvagers could always return to the ship and continue working. The present intention was to salvago everything of value. This would, of course, include many of the fittings, but only such material as could profitably bo disposed of would be taken away. The greater portion of the cargo was now out of the vessel,-and a commencement would soon be made with dismantling many of the fittings. A good deal of the cargo was floating about in the holds, and this was being got out by means of grappling hooks. Many of the benzine cases had been broken and the contents spilled in the holds, and the combination of benzine fumes and Bait water made work in the holds very difficult. No difficulty was expected during the remainder of the salvago operations, as the vessel was resting very firmly on the reef. Up to the present time approximately 1100 tons of cargo has been removed from the Port Elliot. This consists chiefly of general cargo, benzine, kerosene, and motor-cars, and-' has been distributed to Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, and Wellington. About 10,000 cases of benzine have been removed, the Mako taking some to Wellington and the remainder being taken by the Awahou to Auckland. The fittings are now being stripped.