THE STRANDED LINER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1750, 15 May 1913, Page 5

THE STRANDED LINER.

FAST IN THE SAND. TWO FEET OF WATER AT BOW. The chief item of news to-da.v regarding the stranded liner Indrabarali is that I hero is now only two feet of water at the bow. This is conveyed in a somewhat delayed pigeon message from the salvage tug Terawhiti. The advices still take an optjinistic view of llio vessel's position. The tug Terawhiti, says our_ (special correspondent, was to leave W'anganui last night to return to the stranded steamer. One of the tup's officers journeyed to Bulls to consult with' the officials Oil. the licach as to a. plan of action. The weather has agnin moderated, and there is somo prospect of a fine spell. Such a spell will, of course, be necessary to ensure success. Oilicial advices received ill Wellington, from the Indralxirah yesterday stated that the engines, boilers, and steam pipes were intact. It was also stated that yesterday the prospects of refloating the vessel appeared to be better. The refrigerating machinery was still going. Mr. \V. A. Kennedy, .local manager for the Union Company, received telegraphic advice from Captain Kainey (who is at llio beach) that the weather had decreased considerably during the last 24 hours. Mr. 'Walker, Lloyd's Surveyor, resident in Wellington, left here for the scone of the mishap by niolor-ear yesterday. The following message was received by carrier pigeon at Tim Dominion office from the Terawhiti yesterday. The message was dispatched from the salvage tug on Monday afternoon. It read as follows "Arrived off Indrabarali 9 a.m. Received signal X.U. (signifying "I want assistance; please remain by me ). Answered AI (sißnif.vinp "I will not abandon you; 1 will remain by you ). Moderate' southerly gale, very heavy •-ee. Vessel lying head to shore. Vessel signalled, approximate, 2ft. water forward, low water. Impossible to get near until tea moderates., l'lensb advise Mr, Kennedy, 1J.f5.55. Co., immediately. (Signed) Birkett. Mr. Birkett is on board the Terawhiti as salvage expert for the Union Coinpar, y. hvidentlv the master of tho Indrabarali was under the impression that ' the Terawhiti would be compelled to i clear out on account of the weather and ■ lie wanted to make sure that tho tug . would return. Tho pigeon message stated that tlioso on board had signalled that there was ) 2ft. of water at- the forward pari of tho . Indrabarali at low water. Considering I tho.; amount of water tho hiier was • drawing wliou slio went ashore it is cvident that sho has been working up tho . beach considerably. There is also impossibility that the Indrabarali will mane a cradle for herself in tho sand before long. If this should happen tho work of.refloating lier will be a most' difficult job. The following messago was received yesterday by tho Secretary of the General . l'ost Offifo from the, postmaster at Bulls: "Nothing new to report about stranded steamer Indrabarali. Although sea moderated the position inshore was so rougn that a boat from steamer had to return without reaching, land. At low tide the steamer is about 100 yards out and nearly broadside on." SHIP ROLLING IN THE BREAKERS.

UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO LAND. (By Telegraph.—l'ross Association.) Marton, May H. There are many conjectures as to the distance the lndrabaruh is from the shore. Some ?ay 400 yards, and: others HO, but the (listmice is somewhere near the former estimate at high water. The vessel iv rolling a Rood deal and has a list to starboard (out to sen). Many who have the vessel sav that slie will never iio towed off. There is a big saud-bauk tfino distance from the shoro and (hose who know consider that she is over this and between it and the shore. The -ii'mnor is now broadside on with Jin* j,ow pointing south, towards the Riuigiti--I;pi I! ivcr. Big rollers are sweeping her, the sprav reaching over half-way lip I lie funnel at high water. ■ No tugs appeared to-dav, but Captain Daniel went to the beach to-day with several tens of wire rope, etc., which are to be held hi readiness. Ail attempt to tow tlio vessel of! will, it is understood, 1)0 made on Saturday. A boat with a crew of three, attempted to land provisions for the shore crew, but the boat almost turned turtle and had to return. The second officer, Mr. Adcock, is signalling awl sending message? all day.