THE INDRABARAH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1752, 17 May 1913, Page 6

THE INDRABARAH.

RELIEF WORK HINDERED. A CONFIDENT EXPERT, Very litflo information was obtainable locally yesterday regarding tho Tyser 6teamer ludrabarah. Whatover opinion tho publio may htavo as to tho possibility ol getting the vessel oiF, thoso immediately concerned with tho vessel, and who have visited tlio seeno of tho mishap aro decidedly optimistic. LLOYD'S SURVEYOR REPORTS. Mr. Arch, Walker, Lloyd's surveyor, who has been visiting the wreck, returned to Wellington yesterday, and handed over a confidential report to Lloyd's agents in Wellington (Messrs. Dalgety aud Co.). Tho report will not be miade public until llr. Plunket, Lloyd's surveyor at Auckland, who is to visit tlio wreck, makes his report. However, one or two of tlio main facts of the report are available. The vessel is making no water, her cargo is intact, and her refrigerating machinery is working .'■'atisfactorily. It is understood that Mr. Walker's report is optimistic, and that tho prospects of refloating tho vessel aro considered to bo favourable. The vessel is lying on an even keel, and at high tido gives thoso on shore, the impression that slio is afloat. Slio lies about her own length from tho shore in a comfortable position. Some of the smaller salvage gear is being taken aboard by means of a basket attached"to ropes, running from the shore to tlio ship. Mr. Walker, when seen yesterday, stated that tho vessel was in about tho best .position on the Now Zealand cctast i'or carrying out salvage operations. Tho steamer Stormbird, which is to take up .salvage gear from Wellington, was reported to be sheltering at Ohau Bay yesterday. The vessel wlas on her way from Wanganui to Wellington'-when sho had to seek shelter. TERAWHITI TO THE RESCUE. A Press Association telegram received from Wanganui yesterday states that tho tug Terawhiti left Castlecliff at 7 la.m. for tho stranded Indrabarah. in order to put out anchors in preparation for tho attempt to refloat the steamer, which will be made on tho first opportunity. It is proposed to put out three anchors, on which the IndraUirah's winches will bo brought to bear, while the Terawhiti' will also render her powerful assistance. •Tho actual plan of action, will, however, not be decided till tlio Terawhiti arrives on ' the scene. Everything depends on the weather which prevails at tho time.

AN IMPRACTICABLE IDEA. An ex-navkil officer, entitled by long experience to speak with authority, says a Press Association telegram from Palmerston North, states that the idea of using the battle-cruiser to toiv off the Indrabarali is quito impracticable, land that Captain Halsey is not likely to imperil his fine ship by too close an approach to the coast. Even if ho did, no v cable would stand the strain. ' The numerous tugs in tho Dominion would break any liawser easily without exerting the enormous power of tho battle-cruiser.. She would not bo ablo. to approach ncbrer than four cables' length of tho wreck, and as each cable is ICO fathoms- long tho mere weight of the lino would bo considerable, apart from the strain of tho tug. Tho idea of using the' battle-cruiser is not worth serious thought. HIGH SEA STILL RUNNING. - Tfco Secretary of tho General Post Oflico Was received tho following telegram from tho postmaster at Bulls:—"lndrabarali lying comfortably, and everything 011 boarfl satisfactory. Arrangements for salvage and towing operations were ag'ain hindered by the high sea after 11 o'clock. Nothing can be carried out for some days."