FIGHT FOR THE INDRA BOAT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1780, 19 June 1913, Page 6

FIGHT FOR THE INDRA BOAT.

REABY FOR SECOND PULL,

MEAT NOT TO BE JETTISONED,

Everything is reported to bo in readiness for making tlio big attempt to get the stranded steamer Indrabarah off tho Eangitikci bench between this evening and to-morrow. It is high spring tide in tho Rangitikei Bight about 11 p.m. to-day, and tho highest tides these springs occur this evening, to-morrow morning, ami to-morrow evening. When spoken to yesterday, representatives of Lloyd's and the Tyser Lino wero of the opinion that, provided the weather holds reasonably good, the big Indra steamer will be hauled off without much difficulty. Others, again, are of the opinion that the Indrabarah will not come off tSitfso springs.

Messrs. Dalgety and Co., local agents for Lloyd's, were advised by telegram that a heavy westerly gale, accompanied by a higlTsea, was blowing into the Bight on Monday- night. During the night one line to the auchors parted, but it was connected up again on Tuesday. At o p.m. on Tuesday (the time the message was dispatchcd) the weather was reported to be fine. . A Press Association mcssago received from Marton yesterday stated that it was understood that 30,000 carcasses of mutton were to bo thrown into the sea by the twenty-tivo stevedores, who have been sent up from Wellington and others, with tho idea of lightening tho ship. This statement was flatty con radicted vostorda.v by Mr. H. L. Nathan, of ilcssrs. Bannatyne and. Co., who are local agents for tho Tyser Line. Mr. stated that thero was absolutely no-truth in tho-statement. What was intended, ho continued, was that some of tho heavy i cargo, such -as tallow, etc., in the aitoipart of the vessel, was to be dumped over ' tho side. The casks, etc., it was cipatcd would bo washed ashore by tho tido and sea. Mr. Nathan characterised the idea of throwing the frozen mutton overboard' as "ridiculous in the extreme. It is understood that there are over 2000 tons of water in the _ship s tanks, and this can he pumped out in about four hours. When tho time 19 thought opportune, the pumps will he sot to work, and this will lighten tho Indrabarah by abont 3ft. Gin. This is not counting on tho distance which she will rise out ot the water on account of jettisoning oi somo of the cargo aft. Provided the weather holds good, tho Terawhiti will stand by tih.is evening and to-morrow, and lend assistance to tho stranded steamer if needed; " the Indrabarah gets off it is probable that she wilt bo taken to Port Chalmers to be On inquiry at tho Marino Department yesterday it was ascertained that an mmiirv into the circumstances of tho mishap will bo held. The place at which the inquiry will be held all depends on which port tho Indrabarah goes to if sho gets off. '