PORT BOWEN WRECK

Evening Star, Issue 23692, 27 September 1940, Page 11

PORT BOWEN WRECK

B,GOO TONS OF MATERIAL BEING RECLAIMED MINISTER IMPRESSED [Per United Press Association.] WANGANUI, September 26. The Port Bowen wreck, which is being dismantled where it is lying close inshore at Castlecliff, Wanganui, was paid a visit of inspection by the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan, yesterday. In a statement, Mr Sullivan said he was immensely impressed with the value to New Zealand of the work being done and the progress made. The vessel, he said, contained 8,000 tons of material which was being reclaimed—material comprising steel plates, steel angle iron and girders, machinery, refrigerating gear, nautical instruments, and a considerable quantity of non-ferrous metals which were valuable in normal times, but almost beyond price at present, when the difficulty of obtaining sufficient supplies of many things constituted a major problem for the Ministry of Supply. Some 80 men were employed on the work, and the Minister was informed by the engineer in charge, Mr E. J. Dennis, of the Department of Industries and Commerce, that the completion of the debuilding of the vessel would take many more months. The Minister paid a tribute to Mr James Cable, of Messrs William Cable and Sons, who, as a member of the Munitions Committee, made a splendid offer to the Government, which • offer was accepted, that the plant necessary for the debuilding work should be supplied by his firm free of charge, and that only 5 per cent, return in wages be asked;

“ The undertaking of this work in this way is of great value to the nation.” concluded the Minister.