THE INDRABARAH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1758, 24 May 1913, Page 5

THE INDRABARAH.

HER CHANCES GOOD.

OPINION OF LLOYD'S AGENT.

THE COMING EFFORT.

TO BE MADE IN TEN DAYS' TIME. Captain Plunkctt, Lloyd's Surveyor, accompanied by Captain Rainey, superintendent for the 'l'yser Line in New Zealand, arrived in Wellington last evening after viewing the stranded Indrabarah. It seems that the chances of refloating tho big Indra boat are not by any means over yet. Asked by a reporter what tlieso chances were, Captain Plunkett replied:

"I think that there is every chanco of lior being got off, provided the weather is favourable. I am very optimistic about it. As I can see tho job will bo accomplished."

Has tho ship suffered any damage? This was the next question.

"Not a bit," replied Captain Plunkett. "She is as tight as a drum, and is not making any water at all. When I left her she was lying at an angle of about -15 degrees to the shore, with her head pointing 6horewards. Wo have two heavy anchors out with 350 fathoms of strong

wiro rope attached to each. This gear Is keeping tho ship in position, and is likely to do so.

What was tho weather like, captain? "Well, it was moderating, but it appeared to bo still unsettled. Of course, it is the weather which wo are greatly depending on. Provided it holds reasonably good, it will give us a chance." What other steps are yet to be taken before an attempt to refloat the steamer can be made? "Well, we want more anchors, and wo aro getting them now. They will be two five-ton fellows, and we aro getting two more lengths of stout wiro. rope. The present hawsers arc two and a half and three-inch ones, but the new ones will bo four and four and a half inches." Hag any serious attempt so far been mado to refloat tho ship?—" Not yet. Wo aro not ready. You' must understand it takes a lot of time and labour to get gear up to the spot, and then more time and labour has to be expended in placing it in position. Whore tho Indralxtrali is lying is an exposed portion of the coast, and then, again, the landward side of her is difficult to get at. When wo have all our arrangements completed then we will make an attempt to get her off." When do you think that will be?—

"Provided everything works smoothly» and provided that wo are ready, and also supposing that the weather is fairly good, wo should bo ready to make an attempt oil tho big pull at next high water spring tides, that is in about ten days' time." It is said that aro 1500 tons of coal on board the Indrabarah. How long will

that quantity last in keeping the refrigerating machinery going?—"lt should last at least four months and over at the rato (hat it is now being burned. As far as the refrigerated cargo is concerned, wo aro not worrying. It is quite safe, and so is the other cargo." Havo any arrangements been made for lightering any of the cargo?—" No. That is another thing that we havo not worried about. Tho vessel's cargo is quite safe where it is. Our first endeavour is to got tho ship off, and we will do it, if wo aro given a good chance." If the liulrabarah remains on the beach

for a considerable length of time, do you anticipate that slie irill suffer any damage, captain?—"No; Ido not think so. You see, there is nothing to damage her. It is all sand. Tho only thing that could

happen might bo that she would be a little strained as time went on, but nothing else. I don't think that we will allow her to remain on the beach so long as that/' It is probable that Captain Plunkett and Captain Kainoy will leave Wellington i'or the Indrabarali this morning.. Asked if ho would return hero again shortly,

Captain Plunkett replied that ho did not think so. It was his intention to bo handy to the vessel so as to keep an eye on operations and see that everything was all right.