THE INDRABARAH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1111, 19 June 1913, Page 2

THE INDRABARAH.

A Rangitikei Advocate representative visited the scene of the stranding of the Indrabarah today. She is closer in shore than at first and broadside on, the bow pointing towards the south. She has a slight list to starboard. Everything is reported to be in readiness for making the big attempt to get the stranded steamer Indrabarah off the .Rangitikei beach between this evening and to-morrow. It is high spring tide in the Rangitikei Bight , about 11 p.m. to-day, and the highest tides these springs occur this evening, to-morrow morning, and to-morrow evening. When spoken to yesterday, representatives of Lloyd’s and the Tyser Line were of the opinion that, provided the weather holds reasonably good, the big Indra steamer will be hauled off without much difficulty. Others, again, are of opinion that the Indrabarah will not come off these springs.

Messrs Dalgety and Co., local agents for Lloyd’s, were advised by telegram that a heavy westerly gale, accompanied by a high sea, was blowing into the Bight on Monday night. During the night one line to the anchors parted, but it was connected up again on Tuesday. At 8 p.m. on Tuesday (the time the message was dispatched) the weather was reported to be fine.

A message received from Marton yesterday stated that it was understood that 30,000 carcases of mutton were to be thrown into the sea by the twenty-two stevedores, who have been sent up Irom Wellington, and others, with the idea df lightening the ship. This statement was flatly contradicted yesterday by Mr H. L. Nathan, of Messrs Bannatyne and Co., who are local agents for the Tyser Line. Mr Nathan slated that there was absolutely no truth in the statement. What was intended, be continued, was that some of the heavy cargo, such as tallow, etc, in the after-part of the vessel, was to be dumped over the side. The casks, etc., it was anticipated would be washed ashore by the tide and sea. Mr Nathan characterised the idea of throwing the frozen mutton overboard as “ridiculous in the extreme.” It is understood that there are over 2000 tons of water in the ship’s tanks, and this can be pumped out in about four hours. When the time is thought opportune, the pumps will be set to work, and this will lighten the Indrabarah by about 3ft. 6in. This is not counting on the distance which she will rise out of tbs water on account of jettisoning some of the cargo aft. Provided the weather holds good, the Terawhiti will stand by this evening and to-morrow, and lend assistance to the stranded steamer if needed. If the Indrabarah gets off it is probable that she will be taken to Port Chalmers to be docked. INQUEST AT THE BEACH. Mar Ton, June 17. An inquest was held on the beach on Thomas Fallon,, aged 50, the Indrabarah's boatswain, who was found dead about midday on Monday in the lower part of No. 5 hold. The evidence showed that he must have fallen down the hold. Medical examination showed the presence of a gash over the left temple about 2inches long. The base of the skull was fractured, and the neck either dislocated or fractured. There were no suspicious marks of violence. Deceased was a- popular man, of steady and sober habits. He leaves a widow and a large family in London, but only the widow and two children were dependent on him. The corpse was taken from the box made aboard and placed in a coffin. It will be x buried at Bulls to-morrow. A verdict was returned that deceased fell down the hold, causing a fracture of the skull and dislocation or fracture of the neck.