SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT

Chronicle (Levin), 8 February 1947, Page 4

SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT

— Press Association

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Feb. 7. Late tonight > tlie situation seemed a little improved. The water in No. 3 hoid had been considerably reduced in level. This \y:is partiy with the fail of the tide — it was at about its lowest then — and partiy from the work done by the additional auxiliary fire pump fixed late in the afternoon at hatcli level on tlie boat deck. At 11 p.m. this pump had been lowered down the hatchway to the level of tlie saloon deck at which the water had stood at its highest and was being "fitted up for further pumping. It was then several feet above the eurrent water level. In the dining saloon the water on the port side was materially lowered. There was no longer sign of it spurting through Ihe deck. The forepart of the ship remained on the mud, however, though the fall of the tide made it appear she was higher in the water. The auxiliary fire pump drawing water from No. 1 hold had ceased to work. It was found it was no longer drawing water. The compressors were still busy maintaining pressure in No. 2 liold. No change was apparent in the list of the ship which was still resting heavily on the wooden spring piling of the wharf. As the port list developed, a doorway which had been swung open from the deck at the level of the stringer along the piling, had caught up on it tonight. Tliis door was badly buekled. The piling itself is_ held to tlie concrete piling 011 the wliarf at tlie top with eliains. These chains are now under great tension. Captain McDonald, officer in charge of the salvage operations, expressed liimself well satisfied.