THE INDRABARAH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11, 17 May 1913, Page 6

THE INDRABARAH.

BATTLESHIP IDEA SCOUTED. [Per Press Association.] Palmerston North, May 16. An ex-navaT officer, entitled by long experience to speak with authority, says the idea of using the battle cruiser to tow off the Indrabarah is quite impracticable. Captain Halsey is not likely to peril his line ship by too close approach to the coast, and even if he did no cable would stand the strain. There are numerous tugs in the Dominion' that could break any hawser easily, without exerting the enormous power -of the battle cruiser. She would not be able to approach nearer than four cable of the wreck, and as each cable is 100 fathoms long,-the mere weight of the line would be considerable, apart from the strain of the tug. -The idea of using. the battle cruiser is not worth serious thought.

THE 1 SURVEYOR’S REPORT. Wellington, May 16. 5* ’Arch. sWatlSSrft Lloyds’ surveyor, returned to Wellington to-day from the Indrabarah, and has furnished a confidential report to L)qyds’ agent in Wellington (Dalgety and Co.) . It is understood that the vessel is; ma^in^, no water, that her cargo fg intact,: and that her .refrigerating machinery is working satisfactorily. It is further understood that the surveyor’s report is favorable. On Monday the tide will be Ixigh spring. • Mr Walker says‘that the vessel is lying in what the local fishermen call the “deep hole,” and is not yet too far inshore. At the top of high water she' is on an even keel, and one the prepared to wait, after getting out mtishroom anchors to keep the ship in her present position, he is convinced that she can be got off on the spring ■tide a fortnight hence. The imperishable cargo can easily be landed in the vicinity, thus considerably lightening the vessel.

Captain Plunket, of Auckland, has been appointed to watch the operations on behalf of the London Salvage Association.