STILL BIG SALVAGE PROBLEM

Chronicle (Levin), 8 February 1947, Page 4

STILL BIG SALVAGE PROBLEM

— Press Association

By Telegraph r-

WELLINGTON, Feb. 7. Down 39 feet 6 inches at the head with her bows resting on the mud and leaning against the spring piling of Aotea Quay with a list of 12 to 15 degrees, the Wanganella tonight is pro viding a big prpblem for tliose respons ible for her salvage and restoration to a serviceable condition. Her condition had deteriorated since she tied up al the wharf 24 hours earlier for _ much water had entered No. 3 hold. Her head had sunk more than four feet deeper. Towards high tide water began to lap into the hawse ports forward, much higher than when slie wuis safely berthed after her release from the grip of Barrett's Reef. The infli^ of water into No." 3 hold this morning and consequent further yiuking at the head; togeth-er Avith the- list first to port and then to starboard, brought water in Nos. 2 and . 3 holds to the underside of the deck of the dining saloon. Ever since compressors have been put to work trying to keep. down the water level in No. 2 hold, it has been known that there were many slight air leaks in the jointing of the deck with the ship 's sides. The air leaks became water leaks with the water being forced upward by pressure The saloon soon became awasfy when the ship lay on a level keel and whe.n she listed to starboard later thei'e was a depth of about 18 inches against the side of the saloon. It was with the water in this position that the Commander, Captain Darroch, and his officers sat down to lunch today Dinner was not served in the saloon in the evening. It was in the saloon thgt some of the drama of the ship's release from the reef the previous day originated vvhon officers and salvage officials went there for their evening meal. There was no, Lntention that any attempt at refloating would be made. The meal was not