THE STEAMER TRIUMPH AFLOAT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1794, 5 January 1884, Page 2

THE STEAMER TRIUMPH AFLOAT.

This vessel, about which so much speculation has been rife, and regarding the fate of which there has been so much anxiety, has at length been successfully floated, towed from ncr former uncomfortable position, and now lies at anchor in Auckland Harbour. The work of floating the steamer off the reef was effected on Thursday morning, and the result is a great feather in the cap of Mr G. Fraser, of tht firm of Fraser and Tinne, the purchasers of the vessel. For some time previous woikmen had been busily emyloyod iv getting everything in readiness for the attempt. The cargo had been removed, the hatches were securely fastened, and all the pumps considered necessary were got in readiness. On Thursday morning as the tide commenced to flow the pumps were started to woik, and as the tide came in the ship was lifted out of her penlous position. Pending the arrival of steam tugs, the Triumph was taken round to the lee side of the island and anchored, the weather being at the tune wet and boisterous, a strong westerly gale blowing. Ultimately the services of the steamers Waitaki, Rotomahana, Glenelg andMacgregor were obtained, and the Triumph was towed into Auckland Harbour, reaching the North Head about midnight. The water made by the vessel— about a foot an hour — is easily kept down by the pumps, but no time will be lost in getting the ship in order again. Efforts will be made to secure the use of the dock as soon as possible.

[BY TELEGRAPII.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Auckland, Friday. The Triumph has been viewed b^ thousands to-day as she lies m Mechanics.' Bay with a heavy list to one side. The plan of repairing her has not yet been decided on. The Official Inquiry. The inquiiy into the cause of the wieck was continued to-day. Mr Williamson stated that since the Court List sat a new phase of the case had arisen, in the face of the steamer having been got off the rocks and brought into Auckland H.ubour. He therefoie proposed to re-e\amme the chief officer of the Triumph, in order to have the facts connected with floating placed upon lecord. Thomas Owens., chief officer of the Triumph (re-called), deposed that since the date of the last hitting of the Court he had been employed on board the Tiiumph assisting in the operations to get her off the I rocks. As the result of these operations the vessel was yesterday morning got off and last night she was brought into the harbour, whore she now lies. No external aid or apparatus was used to lift the ship, in the shape of pontoons, lighters, or other appliances of that kind. Pumps were employed, but beyond that nothing was done except talcing out the caigo and lightening her as much as possible. If these steps had been taken at first when the steamer went aground she would have been got off as readily. This closed the case for the Collector of Customs. Mr Hesketh, on behalf of the captain, called a number of Customs and harbour officials and other disinterested witnesses, to prove that the captain was peifectly sober. The Court adjourned the decision till Monday.