THE HOLED WHALER

Evening Star, Issue 19801, 27 February 1928, Page 5

THE HOLED WHALER

SALVAGE PROSPECTS GOOD SO,ODD DARRELS OF OIL INTACT [Peb United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, February 26. There is no alteration in the position of the C. A. Larsen, but it is stated that provided the weather keeps good, without a strong easterly, there will bo no difficulty in raising the vessel. The balance of her cargo of oil will then be removed, and oil tankers are reported to have been chartered for that purpose. TT divers who went down at the end of last week had some difficulty in estimating the damage owing to faults in the diving suits, which leaked badly; but they reported that the ship was 1 olod in three places, two forward on the starboard side and one aft. The forward holes are large, being 12ft by I Oft and 10ft by Bft respectively. The hole aft is about 6ft by Bft. The extent of the damage to that part of the vessel’s hull which is embedded in tho sand is not known. A' soon ns the oil is discharged pumping will be proceeded with at full capacity, and collision mats will bo placed over the holes until tho vessel can be taken up to the base, whore she will bo safe from heavy weather.

Tho Bluff Harbor Board’s dredge Murihiku, on arrival at the inlet from Dunedin, will grapple for .he anchor that was cut away from the Larsen shortly after she struck ,fho rock, and will probably assist in the pumping operations. Tho tug Dunedin is still alongside the damaged vessel engaged in pumping, though progress appears to be very slow

Two divers went down on Saturday morning, but as yet tlieir report has not been made public. An interesting passenger on the damaged vessel is Mr Konow, one ot' the directors of the company, who Joined the ship in the United States There is every prospect that about >50,000 barrels of oil will bo saved, the loss not being so severe as was at firstreported. The weather at Stewart Island was warm and fine on Saturday, hut it is cold and squally to-day.