SALVAGE METHODS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 February 1943, Page 4

SALVAGE METHODS

INVESTIGATED IN UNITED STATES BY AUSTRALIAN EXPERT. VALUABLE EQUIPMENT OBTAINED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. Revisiting New Zealand after many adventures connected with the salvaging of ships sunk or beached owing to enemy action off Australia and adjacent islands, Mr John Edward Johnstone, who was the chief diver in the recovery of £2,500,000 worth of gold bars from the sunken Niagara, off Whangarei, in 1941, said today that he had been on a mission to America for the Commonwealth Salvage Board, investigating the latest methods in the United S*tates for salvaging ships. “I received most generous treatment from the United States Navy Department and was able to meet salvage experts and divers and discuss with them the details of their work and the most modern means of lifting ships,” said Mr Johnstone. “I secured a fund of information for the Australian Naval Department and was amazed at the modern methods used by the United States Navy.” Mr Johnstone stated that the naval authorities willingly showed him everything worth while, and that he was able to secure for Australia modern equipment which was being shipped to the Commonwealth Salvage Board and would be invaluable in future salvaging operations. The United States authorities allowed him a free hand on the Lafayette, the former Normandie, sunk in the New York docks, and he was on the scene for four months and learnt much about pumps, diving and salvage methods generally. The ship, lying on her side in 40 feet of water, still presents a great problem, but he thinks the hull will be raised by the end of this year. A hundred and ten divers are engaged. Mr Johnstone was permitted to go down and look round on numerous occasions. The main job was cutting away the superstructure to lighten the ship. Great quantities of iron, steel and timber had been removed by divers, assisted by floating cranes and operating oxyhydrogen torches.