THE WRECK OF THE S.S. WESTPORT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2695, 27 November 1882, Page 3

THE WRECK OF THE S.S. WESTPORT.

[press association telegram.]

WELLINGTON, November 25.

The steamer Lyttelton returned from the scene of the wreck of the Westport shortly after noon to-day. Mr Boss, an engineer employed on the Wellington and Masterton Kailway, bought the wreck of the steamer Westport, with the intention of endeavoring to raise her by means of a patent of his own. Having obtained leave of absence, he chartered the p.s. Lyttelton, and securing the services of a competent diver, left here on Monday night last to commence operations. The diver (Mr L. Rennie) first went down on Thursday morning last. He found the sunken vessel in a deplorable state of wreck. The whole of the port side was clean gone from the bridge forward, and was lying flat on the bottom of the sea. The decks were broken up, and sticking up in all directions, but the funnel was still standing. The persons who reported they had seen the mast-head of the steamer must instead have seen the mast. The starboard side forward of the bridge from the second part of the covering board had been all washed away. TJie-top-gallant forecastle was lying out on the starboard side. The officers’ rooms, which were situated amidships, were all smashed up, and the fittings destroyed. Mr Rennie next wont aft, where he found the vessel to be much less damaged, her after portion in fact being almost intact, and throughout there was no sign of the timbers being attacked by insects. Prom the bridge he brought away the binnacle lamp and compass. Entering the saloon, he brought away the electro-plated ware, cutlery, &0., which was in very fair order. At this stage bad weather came on, and compelled him to discontinue operations. Next day he went down again, but found the sea in such a state of commotion, though at a depth of nine and a half fathoms, where it is generally almost still, that he could not keep his footing, and had to give it up. This sea disturbance at such a depth, nearly sixty feet, is quite an exceptional phenomenon.' The steamer then returned to Wellington, but will pay another visit to the locality in order to pick up anything that is worth saving and practicable to get at. To raise the ship herself is quite impossible, and Mr Ross is naturally a good deal disappointed, but he purposes to give an exhibition of his patent process in the Wellington harbor at some early date.