OLD WRECKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1924, Page 4

OLD WRECKS.

POSSIBILITIES OF SALVAGE. AUCKLAND, March 26. The announcement that tho divers who carried out sueccssful operations at the wreck of the airarapa are investigating the possibility of carrying out similar work on the sunken Tasmania and Tonmuiro will he regarded with deep interest hv all those who remember

the circumstances in which these tan fine ships were lost off the East Coast in years gone bv. There is lint much of romance left nowadays on dry land, but the lied of the ocean, strewn with the hones of ships and men. haunted by strange creatures ol the deep, and fraught with perils unknown to tho upper world, is still a place of mystery, and those who venture down into the depths to penetrate the secrets ol Neptune’s kingdom arc regarded with an interest not unmingled with awe that explorers of earth and air no longer command. It is probably the hieli hope of rich reward rather than the urging* of a spirit of adventure, however, that has induced the divers in question to extend their quest to the two vessels mentioned. The chances of their securing anything of real value from the wreck of the Tasmania appear to he remote. This vessel was wrecked at midnight o(f Table Cape, near Gisborne. 27 years ago. while on her way from Sydney, via Auckland, to Dunedin. The Iceboats were launched in a heavy sea. and 20 lives were lost, 19 valuable horses also perishing. The vessel struck a rock which ripped a terrible wound in her side, and she sank within a couple of hours in 13 water. She was carrying about 399 tons of general cargo, much of which was subsequently washed ashore, as also was a large quantity of passengers’ luggage. Before leaving the purser obtained all tho ships papcis and gold, so that chances of the divers regaining lost treasure would appeal to he rather remote so far as the Insomnia. is concerned.

The wreck of the Tongariro. which was lost off Bull Rock on August 3<Sth. 1010, would seem to offer a much brighter opportunity for the divers, for .s!u‘ carried a cargo which ro the average New Zealander would represent riches beyond the dreams of avarice. She was a real treasure ship, the kind that has inspired writers of fiction from time to time immemorial. for aboard her there was gold and silver and bronze sufficient to pay a king s ransom. She carried £lo(i.000 wortn of bullion stacked away in boxes in her hold, £1.0,000 worth of silver ami bronze coin on its way to Dunedin banks, and a rich cargo of SHOO tons valued at £220,000. This included large quantifies of machinery raid hardware, rubber and motor goods, spring drapery, sheet glass, casks of rennet valued at £3,200. 3t!o casks ol bulk whisky (of which oft casks were picked up), and stocks of material tor various Government Departments. Salvage operations were started the day after the wreck, and two days later £26,000 worth of bullion in boxes was recovered also six dogs and a crate ol canaries. Another message published a dav or two later stated that her cargo of bullion had been landed safely hut there seems to have been no definite news with regard io the silver and copper coins for Dunedin. Possibly they still lie scattered on the rough ocean bed of the Pacific, treasure trove, awaiting the advent of these modern explorers of the deep. After protracted salvage operations about JCK) tons of cargo was recovered, representing a total value of £12,800. The forepart of the ship remained high and dry on the rocks for about a week, and salvage work was carried out. at low tide until the wreck began to break up. Just before the wreck was finally abandoned the sea was one floating mass of cargo, from pianos down to kegs of whisky. Small steamers stood by and picked up the floating cargo. Diving operations were started, hut these were soon abandoned. The diver reported that the bed of the sea in the vicinity of the wreck was extremely rough. Both halves ol the ship had broken up, and it was impossible to conduct salvage operations on a paying basis.