THE WRECKED HAWERA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 141, 1 November 1912, Page 6

THE WRECKED HAWERA.

SALVAGE WORK PROCEEDING.

FULL DAMAGE UNKNOWN.

■Says Wednesday's Pi tea Press: — There is very little to report further concerning the stranding of the Hawera on Saturday last. Most of the cargo has been discharged, but the holds at present are full of water, which prevents the balance being handled. As soon as the vessel is pumped out and the whole of the cargo removed, ail exhaustive examination of the hull will be made. Until this is done no accurate information with regard to the full extent of the damage ran be obtained. That it is extensive is shown by the fact that the vessel's decks are awash at high tide, but those in a position to judge state that being a wooden vessel there is every prospect of the damago being repaired, provided the back of the vessel is not broken.

The representatives of the South Taranaki Shipping Company state that the reports which have been circulated to the effect that the vessel, is a total wreck, and that arrangements have been made for the removal of the boiler and engines, are totally incorrect. Xo decision can be arrived at with regard to the repairing of the vessel or otherwise until a complete examination of the hiili has been made, and this work is impossible until the' whole of the cargo has been removed.

The Mana arrived yesterday with a quantity of salvage gear, and the work of pumping out the holds and discharging the balance of the cargo was proceeded with at once. The sea, since Saturday, has been moderate and little J or no extra damage has been done. The vessel is 1 at present lying on a. saidy bottom on an even keel, with scarcely any motion at high tide. If the report of the experts is "satisfactory the necessary repairs will probably be carried out locally, the boat being liauled up on the 1 beach, and afterwards launched in the river. Being & wooden vessel, the task of repairing her is looked upon as a comparatively easy one. . Should the report be unfavorable, then the whole of the engines, boilers, refrigerating machinery and fittings will'be removed and the vessel dismantled.