A HEAVY SEA RUNNING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3584, 25 July 1912, Page 6

A HEAVY SEA RUNNING.

BIG STRAIN ON THE STAR OF CANADA. f IMPEDED YESTERDAY. AUTHORITIES STILL OPTIMISTIC The Fates are not with the salvagers, working so tirelessly out on the stranded Star of Canada, and it is to be hoped that they will make amends for their irregular behavior by toning down the long ground swell which is prevailing. Last night there was a big roll on, and the stricken steamer was twisting and vising with the tea. All day yesterday the large vessel, maimed ami resting on the anchor lines for support, made a more pitiful sight than at any time since her stranding. There was a disturbing sea running, and, at high water, she was drawing no more than seven feet astern, while the bow was awash up to the end and sometimes beyond hold No- 2. The waves were lashing nbout the deck, and an occasional “break” would sweep high over the steamer. Aboard one could feci the vibration and the swing astern, and, from the sea, it could he seen that there was. a heavy pull on the anchor lines. From the fact that the starboard propeller was some inches higher out of the water than that oh the port side, it was quite evident that the cant to shore was as pronounced as before, and that the sudden swell had shifted the steamer from its perpendicularity. There was noticeable, tco, a rise and fall with the swell. Rut the authorities _ are confident withal, and their optimism has not decreased one whit. _ This is evident from the nssiduitv with which operations are being prosecuted. Captain Tavlor, conversing with a “Times” reporter, was not the least dismayed. “The weather is doing us damage and keeping matters hack,” he said, “but work out there is going on as cheer-, fully as ever.”

S° heavy was the sea that it was found impossible to take tlie lighters alongside for the reception of .the damaged grain, so that operations were to an extent retarded. This meant a rather serious delay in the performance of the salvage programme, but a useful dav was spent bv those aboard, nevertheless.

The pumps were hard at it.at No. 3 hold, and the water was successfully coped with- Captain Taylor considers that, given a fine spell, it will take about half a day to remove tlie remaining grain from tins hold. Provided that this morning-breaks clear—and indications, unfortunately, are not of the brightest—the whole cargo oif damaged grain will he out of the vessel by about neon. A start will then be made on the removal of the valuable cargo of silver bullion and lend. To lr'ii" this valuable 700 tons will occupy full- a week, if good weather rules, and the authorities will then be in a position to say something definite as to the salving of the steamer. It is really as yet a game of chance, against fairly heavy odds, weighted down by the advent of • the stormy sea'-.

Much attention is alsobeine paid to hold No. 2, where the special hatchway is being fitted on the lower deck. The first half of the hatclvwn-'- has been made seen re hv wedges and stays. Yesterday something interesting Jian-po-ned in the hold. The second half of the hatch was being lowered into position, with the aid of heavy weights, but the pressure of the imprisoned water proved too great a foe for even the heaw hatch. It’ rose like a cork, and was last night floating on the wat°r at- a level above the shelter de"k. The problem of putting it into position promises to be a ticklish onm but. under calmer conditions, the difficulty will doubtless be overcome. Another oc°urrenre on heard yesterday which occasioned some concern was tlm fact that the bulkhead between Nos. 2 and 3 holds began +o leak. The matter was taken immediately in hand and the bulkhead strength eed by strong staunch ions. The pressure of the water must lm tremendous indeed to strain so solid an erection. The pumps arc fitted up at No. 1 hold, but operations will not be begun bore for sorrm time : not, at any rat'', until something has been clone at bold No 2 end until the third hold _ ha~ hern relieved of the weighty bullionTUn Terawliiti is at anchor in the hart*'-*’