C.A. LARSEN DISASTER

Evening Star, Issue 19798, 23 February 1928, Page 11

C.A. LARSEN DISASTER

Stricken Whaler Still Stranded £200,000 the Lowest Estimate of Oil Loss — t. Pumping and Refloating Operations Otago Bids for Repair Job [From Our Own Reporter.]

HALFMOON BAY, February 22. Lying on a sandy bottom in smooth water under the lee of Rabbit (or Native) Island, in the channel off the scenic isle Ulva, the whaling factory ship 0. A. Larsen had not moved from her early morning position at 9 p.m. to-day. The tide was then almost low, and it was impossible to ascertain whether the stranded ship was making water. Judging from the appeals for assistance from tugs and salvage vessels the officers apparently have hope that the ship will-be refloated, and successfully refloated. “Wo seem to be making some progress,” reported the master of the Bluff tug Theresa Ward when she was hailed by a ‘ Star ’ repm’ter on a visiting launch to-night. “But we will be unable to say if our pumping is keeping down the inflow until high tide.' Those on board were anxiously awaiting 4 p.m., when the tide would reach its highest flow, as then some definite idea would be given of the actual ingress of water and the possibility of saving the ship. Throughout the day the' Larsen lay quietly in sheltered waters, while fussy boats chased about her and up and down to Prices Bay base. Four miles up harbor from the base the C. A. Larsen is clearly visible. It was a sorrowful day tor the many Norwegians on their ships in Paterson’s Inlet, for what promised to be the best and shortest season on record was ruined by this disastrous mishap to the pride of the whaling fleet. After disembarking passengers Irom the mainland at Halfmoon Bay, the motor tug Southland made for Paterson's’ Inlet, but she carried no pumping or salvage gear, and only stood by the C. A. Larsen. The veteran tug Theresa Ward reached the stranded ship at 3 p.m. The coupling of pipes occupied one hour, and then the Theresa Ward commenced her pumping. The hose was lot down to the forward store hold, and once pumping was in full swing 56,000 gallons of sea water and oil were belched into the channel. The pumping continued ceaselessly till long after 7 p.m., when a slight halt was made to readjust the coupling bolts. Shortly before 8 p.m. the Theresa Ward’s pumps were again set in action. The tug was secured fore and aft to the Larsen, and it was proposed to keep the pumps going all night. Belief and further assistance was expected when the tug Dunedin was reported to be scheduled to arrive at midnight. Later advice stated that the Dunedin did not leave . till 6.30 p.m. The distance from Taiarna Heads to Stewart Island is approximately 160 miles, and the tug’s aver-, age speed is about ten knots. She should arrive at Paterson’s Inlet about 10 a.m. on Thursday.

So far no diver has been sent down to investigate, but diving equipment is expected to arrive by the Dunedin. Every possible effort is being made to save loth ship and what remains of the cargo. The Norwegian authorities to-day communicated with the Union Steam Ship Company at Wellington with the aim of making arrangements for the despatch of what is considered to be the most powerfully equipped pumping plant in New Zealand, the Terawhiti.

Later reports from the vessel are that the early statements of the loss of cargo were exaggerated, the seepage from the damaged tanks not being so extensive as was stated. There can be no doubt, though, that hundreds o) thousands of pounds’ worth of oil have been lost or ruined. Over the fore shore at Halfmoon Bay bangs the pungent and sickly odor of whale oil, which has floated on the currents round from Paterson’s Inlet. Even if great quantities of oil arc not escaping from the starboard tanks, the oil in tanks which have been damaged, and into which water is making ingress, will be ruined. The ‘Star’ reporter was informed early in the afternoon by a man closely connected with the ship’s movements in Ross Sea, New Zealand waters, and abroad that only four of the twelve tanks remained intact, and although the men on the Larsen could not ascertain the full extent of the damage, they were certainly pessimistic about the prospects of an appreciable save of the oil cargo. Of tile full cargo of 78,000 barrels 35,000 to 40,000 barrels were intact to-night, according to authoritative advice. • Taking these figures as being as near accurate as can be fixed at present, about £200,000 lias been lost.

The John Pasmussen Company, which owns the Poss Sea whaling fleet, is fully covered by insurance policies held in Norway. Further insurance on the cargo is taken out on every 5,000 barrels being placed in the tanks. lloth Otago and Auckland are working hard to secure the docking of the C. A. Larsen, should she he refloated, and then be in condition for towing to either of the northern ports. Mr T. Anderson is the energetic member of the Otago Harbor Board now visiting Stewart Island, and in reply to his urgent wire urging Otago to make a bid for the docking, Mr W. J. Bardsley (secretary of the board) replied this afternoon that the Port Chalmers dock was 510 feet Jong, and could he easily lengthened, if necessary, to accommodate the Larsen. Mr J, Hislop, a mejnber of the Auckland Board, also communicated with Ids board. Calliope dock is 560 feet long, but there is little doubt that the Larsen will go to Port Chalmers if she is refloated. Mr John Knewslubh, the manager of Stevenson and Cooks marine engineering shop, which up to this season has carried out all the refitting ' of the Star chasers reached Bluff tonight. and will probably cross_ to Stewart Island early in the morning. Shore watchers of the Larsen’s entry into Paterson’s Inlet slate that the ship was alongside Faro Pock when her bow ran into an eddy, and the four and n-half knot tide then running swung her stern round. With the failure of the steering gear the ship was out of control, and drifted on to the rock. When she first struck, few on board realised the mishap, hut they were alarmed when the ripping of the starboard plates was beard. The accident once again emphasises the necessity for a complete coastal survey being carried out. The first survey was made by Captain Stokes in 1849, and nearly half a century has passed since the charts have been fully revised.

Captain Nielsen has made a number of passages through the channel where the bottom was struck, a ml he is known in mercantile circles as a skipper who would not take unnecessary risks. According to Stokes’s survey the Larsen is lying in seven fathoms aft and nine fathoms for’ard on a sandy bottom. ■The Star chasers were ready late tonight to take the Larsen in tow at high tide, in tho hope of moving her into more shallow water, which would orobably 1)6 found on the south side of Native Island, where Stokes sounded four to six fathoms. All GONE BUT 10,099 BARRELS The most sensational development is that the vessel has lost all her cargo of whale oil, except ten thousand barrels out of a total of eighty thousand. This is due to the oil tanks giving way under tho pressure of the sea, and the lids being blown off. The waters of Paterson’s Inlet and Halfmoon Bay are covered with oil. The total cargo loss is estimated at £400.000. The chasers have stood _ by throughout, lending assistance in pumping, the Larsen’s pumps being twenty-three feet under water. Though full particulars could not be gathered to-day, it is understood that the cargo is covered by insurance with the Norwegian offices. It is stated that, with the addition of each three thousand barrels of oil while on the whaling grounds, insurance is secured by wireless with Norway, so that the loss will not be as heavy as was at first feared. The ship has £IOO,OOO worth of whaling gear on hoard, including the latest appliances, which will be hard to replace. The C A. Larsen, which cost £250,000 to build, was formerly an oil tanker, and was bought by the •Boss Bea Whaling Company, and is said to be the largest factory ship m the world. It is understood that the ship has been in wireless communication with Norway since the disaster. At 10.30 this morning all communication with the Larsen was prohibited, and passenger craft were requested to keep off. The shore was seething with excitement. Scores of people clamoring for boats, while elevations round tho inlet and Observation Rock were thronged by spectators. Latest reports state that the position of the Larsen is reassuring, being such that she will be safe from weather until she has been refloated, winch is indefinite. At a' late hour to-day the pumps were gaining no appreciable headway in lowering the water. Speaking to a reporter, a member of the crew said: /Eiose of us who were standing on the y’eat deck felt three distinct and grinding shocks. The whole ship quivered from stem to stern, and w 8 thought for a moment that it

was all over with the vessel. She came off easily, however, hut with a decided list to starboard. We were lucky that she did not remain there and turn turtle.” The Larsen is stated to have been carrying tho world’s record cargo of whale oil. The irony of the disaster is, that after three months in the Antarctic, battling with all kinds of heavy weather, she should ho wrecked within five or six miles of her base, and lose practically her whole cargo of oil. As soon as sufficient water has been pumped from tho ship to raise her forward end from the water, the company’s divers will go down to ascertain the extent of the damage. It is learned that tho vessel is ripped from the bows towards ’midships, for a length of about 30ft, and if she were not in shallow water she would sink. It is stated that the full crew of the Larson will be paid off to-morrow, as refloating and repair work is likely to occupy a considerable time.