THE WRECKED WAIKARE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 96, 1 August 1910, Page 5

THE WRECKED WAIKARE

WHAT HAS BEEN SALVAGED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Bluff, July 80. Salvage operations hav# been continuing uninterruptedly at the wreck of the ill-fated s.s. Waikare at Duaky Sound, and Mr. T. Crockett, who has charge of the operations and who returned to the Bluff for stores, informed a eo(respondent that the work of breaking up the vessel has been jgoing on steadily, and a little over two months should see the work completed, so fax ae the syndicate are concerned, for the present. Mr. Crockett gave some idea of the work that has been accomplished at the wreck. The bronze propellor, which is estimated to be worth £SOO or £6OO, lias been recovered, and it took a lot of shifting. The first charge of fifty sticks of gelignite merely moved the propeller about a foot along the shaft. One of 100 sticks was then applied, and it had far-reaching effects, shattering the rudder, removing the propellor, and opening a big rent in the stern of tflie hull. The strength of the bronze with which the propellor was made was evidenced by the fact that although the "boss" was blown to pieces, the bilades were entirely uninjured. The fis(h killed by the explosion, added Mr. Orockett, were simply enormous. The other salvage comprised so far anchor chains, davitts, deck seats, the copper steam pipe, and various other fittings, and aJso silver ware from the saloon. Work has been commenced on the winches, cranes, etc., and the next seetion to bo undertaken will be tfie engine room.