The Triumph Disaster.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4658, 8 December 1883, Page 2

The Triumph Disaster.

[Pee Pbess Association. J

Auckland, Yesterday. Th«» attempt to float the Vessel by the agency of compressed air has failed, owing to the Jeakage in the.: fore compartment. The highest pressure .'obtained was s!bs to the square inch. 1! Mr. Hawkeswoo^, of the Hobkon street foundry, has -laid before Messrs Nathan and Gapt. Brotherton a scheme for lifting the head of the Triumph with four large iron pontoons, and then, when she is floated off, to tow her to

Auckland with the pontoons still under her to support her. Capt. Brotherton doubted the idea could be carried out owing to the difficulty of getting the chains under the vessel's keel, but Mr Hawkeswood is sanguine that any difficulty in that direction could be overcome. His scheme has been freely discussed in town to day, and is generally approved of. Efforts will now be directed towards keeping the vessel on the rocks in order to save the remainder of the cargo, machinery, etc. An anchor has been thrown out forward, to assist in keeping the vessel in her present position. Pump ing operations have continued all day. None of the fittings or the machinery have yet been removed, the reason being that the ship is only insured against total loss. There is not the slightest doubt that thousands of pounds worths of fittings might have been removed to a place of safety, and, principal amongst the property, the Haslam refrigerator which could all have been taken away since Monday or Tuesday.

(a?BOM OtTB OWN COBEESPONDENT.)

: Auckland, This day. The Argyle has returned from Tiritiri. News from the Triumph this morning is to the effect that the vessel has driven further upon the rocks, and that she now lies with her starboard bilge chafing severely on the reef. The pumps are kept constantly going, and succeed in keeping her water down, but no more. A northerly gale which set in last night was expected to break the vessel up, and all hands, excepting the captain, chief officer, and one sailor, left the ship. A heavy sea got up during the night, but moderated at an early hour this morning, and the wind fell almost to a calm, so that the vessel was not so roughly treated as was anticipated. The divers were down for two days, but their services were never called into requisition. The agents call for tenders for the floating of the vessel, and delivery in Auckland. Failing a suitable tender, the vessel will.be offered by public auction.

, . . Lateb, 155 p.m. Mr Fraser (Fraser and Tinne) has gone to the Triumph in the Argyle with a riew of tendering for thejifting of the ship. :