DAMAGED LINER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10318, 29 January 1927, Page 7

DAMAGED LINER

SALVAGING WORK ON NORTHUMBERLAND NEW SHEEPSKIN MAT IN POSITION PUMPING OPERATIONS PRO- " • CEED SATISFACTORILY Salvaging operations on the Federal liner Northumberland were* continued throughout yesterday and! last night. V J t> " ef official statement issued on behalf of the salvagors yesterday show s . there has heen an improvement in the general condition of the vessel. Early in the morning a third ocJliiiou mat was rigg-1 and adjusted in position over the other two mats, and a -sheepskin mat 40ft sq. covering all three, was adjusted late yesterday afternoon. The location cf the holes and the difficulty in covering them properly have proved one of the most difficult parts of the salvaging The holes are just .above the turn of the bilge and the difficulty h.<s been to adjust the collision mats with one end under J he bottom of the vessel.

Until the buoyancy of the ship has been improved by pumping operations reducing the water level. In the holds it is stated that the full eftect of the suction on the collision mats will not be felt. At present the mats are not adjusted tightly enough lo the hull to preclude the inflow' of water.

Pumping operations are gradually lowering,.the water level in all three forward holds, and a powerful pulsator pump which w-as transhipped from the Wainui yesterday morning was put into commission in" the aftern°°". and is proving a substantial addition to the plant now in use. The bulkhead between No. 3 hold find the engine—room, is now being reinforced, and similar steps will be taken with the l bulkhead's between iNos. 1 and 2, and between 2 and 3, w hen the level of the water has been sufficiently lowered. The vessel will be taken to Auckland for dry-dockine-probably, and it will be necessary to make the temporary repairs strong enough to withstand the strain of the trip from Gisborne to the northern port.