PATCHING THE LARSEN

Evening Star, Issue 19803, 29 February 1928, Page 4

PATCHING THE LARSEN

GETTING READY TO STEAM TO PORT CHALMERS CHART DEPTHS OF INLET All WRONG [Per United Press Association.] __ INVERCARGILL, February 28. Work on the C. A. Larsen is progressing rapidly, the timber ordered' having been shaped to cover the holes in her sides. The temporary plates will be held on by timber, and it is expected that with the aid of her pumps she can reach P.ort Chalmers, where arrangements have been made to dock her. It is expected that she will bo able to proceed north in about three weeks’ time Another medium-sized hole has been discovered on the port side, slightly forward of the meat deck, but it can easily be repaired. It is stated that the vessel has sunk another ISin in tho sand. A sailor on board states that but for the presence of mind of the captain when the vessel ran ashore last week the hull would have been torn right out, and she would have sunk immediately. Captain Neilsen put the engines hard astern, and she came off to starboard, swinging clear of the rocks as her head answered the helm. It is understood that the captain wished to lie out all night instead of coining up the inlet against the slackening water, but was advised by one of the owners who was on board to go straight up to the base at Price’s Bay. Those on board the C. A. Larsen state that since the disaster the Star chasers have taken soundings all round the entrance of the inlet and up to where the vessel now lies, and have found that the depths as marked on the charts are wrong, in some cases being as much as four fathoms out. Tho nearest to being correct was one marked fourteen, fathoms on the chart which was found to be thirteen when sounded. • Tho Sir James Clark Hess sailed lor Norway via Panama this , morning, and will call at New York, -where the greater portion of her cargo will bo discharged.