OWNERS HOPEFUL OF SAVING STRANDED LINER

Chronicle (Levin), 24 January 1947, Page 4

OWNERS HOPEFUL OF SAVING STRANDED LINER

PLANS TO USE EXPLOSIVES WELLINGTON, Jan. 23. •In a statement to the Press regarding the Wanganella the Wellington manager of the Huddart Parker Company (Mr. N. D. McLean) said: "We are hdpeful of saving the Wanganella. "Captain G. McDonald, marine underwriter and surveyor for the Huddart Parker Conip.any, arrived in New Zealand by air and went on board today (Thursday). The direction of salvaging operations is in his hands. "The condition of No. 1 and No. 2 holds is beyond immediate repair, The holes are so large that even the powerful pumps available will not keep the water down. The bulkhead between No. 2 and No. 3 holds is holding well and there is very little sign of deterioration in No. 3 hold which is practically free of water. Beyond that there is a very powerful bulkhead protecting the engineroom and from that bulkhead aft the Wanganella appears as sound as a bell, "The matter of greatest importance is a continuation of the fine weather which has been exceptionally favourable. Last night (Wednesday), a southerlv threatened for a time but it did not develop. Today was cairn. We hope for good weather still. However, we have now two heavy anchors backed by mushroom anchors out at the stern operated upon by the ship's winches. "An important work is the lightening of the vessel. Some hundreds of tons of oil were pumped out yesterday." Shore labour for two days lias been removing as mueh as possible of the ballast from between decks. It eonsists in the main of steel plates and concrete slabs. This will iniprove the stability and, we hope, materially assist in withdrawing the vessel from the reef.

It appears that a ledge runs between the rock near the bridge on the port side and the rock on the starboard bo%v on which the vessel rests. ''If the Wanganella is not reinoved earlier and if the fine Aveather continues it is possible that explosives may "be used, to assist the refioating. A naval expert in explosives has been made available by the Navy Department and drilling equipment and explosives aye available if required. " Mr. McLean said work would be eontinued throughout tonight. As soon as possible all members of the crew whose services were not required would be returned to Australia. Life on the Wanganella was proceedihg almost in routine fashion. Just sufficient of the steward stafc had been retained on board for the requirements. The seamen had plentv to keep them occupied in salvage work. There were now about 35 shore labourers on board. It was reported unoffieially that tonight the vessel has begun to make a small amount of water in the engineroom bilges but it is not serious. Reven auxiliary iirepumps have been taken aboard. Two of then draw off 700 gallons each a minute if neeessary, and the other five 500 gallons each, a total of 3900 gallons a minute. Thev are tended by firemen from the Wellington Fire Brigade, three men being on board at a time, the shifts being ehanged regnlarlv. These men get salvage rafces of pay 15s an hour.