BACK TO THE SURFACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1918, Page 2

BACK TO THE SURFACE.

ADMIRALTY RAISES 400 SHIPS Besides organising convoys of mercantile marines and affording protection, by means of aeroplanes, airships, torpe-do-boat destroyers, trawlers and other auxiliary craft, the Admiralty have played an important part in salving vessels which have been torpedoed and mined.

Since October, 1915, some 400 of over 1200 tons each, have been salved and taken to repairing yards, where they have been refitted and put into commission. One of tlhe latest pieces of salvage by this department was a large cargo ship which, while bringing to British shores foodstuffs, machinery, wool, and other goods to the value of over £3,000,000, was torpedoed and sunk in some ten fathoms of water. Thanks to the skill of the salvage experts, the bulk of the cargo, with the exception of a quantity of meat, was saved. The ship was raised and taken into port, and she is now once more carrying on her useful work.

One of the greatest troubles which the men have ihad to contend with has been the accumulation of gas in the holds of sunken vessels due to the decomposed vegetable matter, decayed meat, etc.. and in the course of Balvage operations they have sometimes lost their lives. In one case four men were overcome by gas. The gases caused by grain gave a lot of trouble, for grain develops sulphuretted hydrogen, wihich caused semiblindness and violent sickness, and turns everything a leaden color. A chemist, has, however, made an extraordinary during the war, which immediately kills these gasses, and the Admiralty workers are now able to carry on the work freely as soon as the presence of the gasses has been discovered, and the rotting cargoes have been sprayed with the preparation.