IS HER BACK BROKEN?

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1483, 4 July 1912, Page 5

IS HER BACK BROKEN?

S.S. STAR OF CANADA, SUI..IOIIR IUMACiK HKPOKTED. Oiy Telcjraph.-Frosa Association.) Gisborne, July .1. | It is now fairly certain that llio Star of Canada has broken her back in the Wcinily of the foremost. Pumping was discontinued this morning, and later throe heavy swells struck- tho ship. The jolling ol llio foremast anil tho see-sawing of (ho lorn part of the ship (Ji ou Bi , V e indication ol serious damage. At Jive o'clock this afternoon the first 'letachnient of I he crew came ashore with Uioir baggage, and a couple of hours later smother sViuad wero brought in bv the launch. There aro still about twelve volunteers standing by (he vessel, and Captain Plunkct, of tho London Salvage Association, is on board officially standing by, while Captain Taylor, cf the fame fl-v-ocoatiou, is expected to nrrivo on Friday. The lightering of tho cargo is being continued briskly, mid it is evidently the intention lo remove all undamaged goods from (ho after holds.

An olficinl statement is to the effect that the ship Ims not been abandoned to I lie underwriters, Although there is every possibility of this being done. It is als'j oflioially announced that llio reports as to tho broken back do not emanate from an official quarter. Captain Rainev, tho Jyser Company's Superintendent, will not, however, deny that Iho ship's back is woken. Captain Hart, commander of tho steamer, is Ashore to-night, but will not make any statement for publication. Indications iwint to the probability that salvage operations have been abandoned, and that tho company is about to throw tho matter on (he shoulders of tho underwriters, and, in support of this,.it may bo stated that the pumps installed in the lore-holds have been dismantled. The vessel to-night presents a dreary spectacle. She is practically deserted, aiid her forward decks in the high tide are just awash. Captain Uainey states that serious developments have occurred.