WRECKED BARQUE OKTA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 17, 20 September 1913, Page 5

WRECKED BARQUE OKTA.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION'

[By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright) [United Press Association.! Invercargill, September 19.

The thirty-six hours which have elapsed since the ill-fated Norwegian barque Oltta struck the rocks at Stirling Point at the entrance to Bluff Harbour, have not brought any material alteration in regard to the position of the barque. To-day she was still hard and fast on the Pelham rock, and from external appearance the forecast that she has found her last resting place is a correct .one. The barque has not shifted her position to any material extent. At low water she is plainly visible, and with the tide on the full, her decks are awash to a greater extent than occurred after the early hours of strikInverell (N.S.W.), September 10. | ing.

At 9.30 to-day a boat’s party went out from the wharf and drew alongside. The holds were found to be full of water, and with this disadvantage it was almost impossible to operate upon them to any great extent. Shortly after the barque struck the rock on Thursday, the lifeboat on the port side was launched, and eventually brought ashore. .To-day the starhoard lifeboat and the captain’s gig were taken from their fastenings and launched.

The Okta had over GOO,OOO feet of lumber aboard from Port Yukon tr Falmouth. The barque and her cargo will be submitted to auction on Tuesday next.

No inquiry will be held in New Zealand into the circumstances surrounding the wreck, as it is understood that under the maritime laws of Norway, inquiries into the stranding of Norwegian vessels on foreign shores must be heard in Norway.