SALVAGING THE STRICKEN WHALER

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6544, 28 February 1928, Page 7

SALVAGING THE STRICKEN WHALER

Extensive Preparations To Save Valuable Cargo PROM UNIVERSITY TO BLUBBER BOY (Per Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Last Night. The position of the C. A. Larsen is unchanged, but precautions have been taken to prevent any mishaps from the heavy weather, the boat being tied foro and aft by hawsers, extra iines also being out on the port and starboard sides. The vessel has been lightened aft by the discharge of a quantity of Ail which Las been transferred to the Sir James Clark Boss. This afternoon the tug Dunedin lay alongside but pumping operations were at a standstill, the Larsen's pumps being quite able to handle the necessary water. - It is not intended to pump the forward end of tho ship clear until the actual repair work has been put in hand, as it is feared that if too much water is removed the pressure of the aoa will crumple tho tank tops. Two divers went down again this afternoon and it is vow proposed to dig a hole in the sand under the vessel so that the damage to the hull can be estimated by the divers who can then walk underneath. A great quantity of oil still surrounds the vessel and to-day the sea along her bows on the starboard side was covered witb a great sbeot of thick yellow sentn like a stagnant pond. , Tho work of blowing tho sand from under tho ship will be commenced this week, erections of timber being driven into the bottom to prevent the incoming tides refilling tho hole. It is estimated that it will take ten weeks to complete the operations and put the plates over the holes. The Sir James Clark Boss will sail for Norway on' Wednesday and will carry tho captains of tho Larsen and and Star Chasers home. The Larsen's men who aro not required at the base will have passages to Norway arranged at an early date. Mr Rasmussen, a son of one of the owners of the company, is on board the Larson and will remain at the base at Price's Bay. He stated that be was learning the whaling busincs v before returning to Norway next year to enter his father’s office. Ho was signed on the ship’s articles for the trip as an ordinary seaman and had been working on tho winches and meat deck. He is a graduate of a Norwegian University. “It is great experience,” ho said, “ tot it is certainly hard work. Still to run a business one must see it from the point of view of those who work there. We are very thorough in Norway. Wo learn everything we can.”