THE PORT ELLIOTT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1924, Page 4

THE PORT ELLIOTT

II [ |.l. NOT AII AN DONKI). KriTixcH; hkixc sTmppj/n. (MSHOUXK. I’c’h. ,1. The Port l/llioit has .not yet hceii iilmlldoncd to the underwriters, iind a notice is fixed on the vessel slating that she has not hceii a.liautloued. I his does not mean that the vessel wilt ever pel off the reel', for the opinion of nil who have seen the wreck at close ipiarters is that the ship i- there until she poes to pieces. On lieinp questioned, Mr X". 1: osier, local agent for Lloyd’s, said it was quite true that the Port IZHiolt had not heel! abandoned. The reason tor the notice being displayed on the vessel was that if it became necessary for tlm salvage crew to leave owing to had weather, the lirst person to hoard her after the abandonment could lay claim to the* vossi‘l. W hen the* notioo uns yr-tl slnline that. the ship Ikhl not been abandoned, the salvagers could always return to the ship and continue working. The prsoent intention was tr salvage everything ot value. I his would, of course, include many of Ihe (ittings, hut only such material as could profitably he disposed of would he taken away. The greater portion of the cargo wn« now out of the vessel, and a commencement would soon he made with dismantling many ot flic lilting*. A good deal of the cargo was Heating about in the holds, and this was being got out by means of grappling hooks. Many of the benzine cases had been broken and the eonlouts spilled in the holds, and the combination ol benzine fumes and salt water made work in the holds very difficult. X'o difficulty was expected during the remainder of the salt age operations, as the vessel was resting very Jirmly on the reef.

l'p to the present time approximately 1100 tons of cargo has been removed from the Port Elliott. This consists chiefly of general cargo, benzine, kerosene, and motor-cars, and has been distributed to Auckland. Gisborne. Napier, and ’Wellington. About 10,000 cases of benzine have been removed. the Malta taking some to Wellington and the remainder being taken by the Awahou to Auckland. The fittings are now being stripped.