RESOURCES MUSTERED

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5307, 21 January 1947, Page 5

RESOURCES MUSTERED

f Press Assn.—

TUGS TO MAKE MAIN PULL EARLY THIS MORNING

-By Telegraph — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, Last Night, About 4 o'clock to-morrow tLorning a supreme effort will fco made to free the WangaK3ila from its desperate position on Barrett's Reef, and oh which it ran at 11.43 o'clock en Sunday night. To-day all ?? vailable resources were being nustered for an effort which nieans the life or death of a . valuable vessel, and a great doal to intercolonial trade. ¥hough resources seem puny for so' great a task, no effort has been spared to salvage the vessel. The tug, Rahanui, . is steamihg' at full speed from Wanganui. It is just possible that she will reach Wellington in time to aid the Wlellington tugs. Terewhiti and Toia, which laboured vainly this moming and this afternoon to shift the vessel. The salvage gear was secured from the Union Company and two heavy anchors were taken to the scene of the stranding. These were put out at the stem of the vessel so that she could haul on them with her own power while tugs pulled on hawsers. • it was known that the vessel was' making some water, and reports stated that two hclds were affected. The possibility exists of seYere hcl-' ing of the hull, Avhich might prove serious if the vessel were moved from the cradle on the reef. Two divers, with full complemcnts of helpers, were sent to investigate ihe position. If necessary, they could pli g large holes and this, with the aid of pumps, would ena'ble the Ship to .'each the floatin'g dock. The measurements of the Wanganella were available and blo'cks were p-'.'fc in position on the floating dock and all arrangements have been made 1'or receiving the ship. Crew Remain on Board All this evening the inain part of the crew, which remained on board, toiled under the direction of the ship's master, Captain R. Uarroch, in preparation for the next tussle. A great deal depends on fche weather. Experienced seamen took the vi'ew that the slight swell from the south ' would be a hcip while the vessel itself and tugs were hauling to free the liner. Others held that conditions | in the afternoon gave no indication that the level would rise and fall. They maintained she went ashore at half-tide empty of cai*go, and that at full tide only the stern rose and that but little. Enquiries at the weather bua-eau showed that fresh soutlierly winds and showers were likely t'o-night, followed by milder southerlies for a couple of days. Sucli weather would appear to he favourable to salvage operations. .. - These operations, if successful, will mean. in the opinion of a ine authoritjq a saving of £1,500,060 which is what the Wanganella is believed worth as a whole ship to- ! day.