Big Dredge Sinks
p. 89 · Read in the full issue
Unfortunate Accident In New Guinea
DISASTER overtook one of Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd’s, two deep-digging dredges, on the Bulolo flats, New Guinea, on November 22.
A sudden, unexpected, double cave-in of the digging face created a huge wave in the pond in which the dredge floats.
This surge lifted the huge machine sharply, and threw it on its side. The crew miraculously escaped, as the dredge filled with water, and capsized, and sank onto the bed of the pond.
The possibility of salvaging the dredge is considered good, and extensive investi gations are being made.
The dredge is insured for 1,200,000 US dollars; but the loss of revenue, just when the whole installation was in first-class working order, is a serious matter.
The original Bulolo dredges were de signed for, and commenced digging on, a comparatively shallow bottom. Then, in the early ’thirties, it was discovered that that was a false bottom—there was a much richer stratum some 30 or 40 feet further down. Two later dredges there fore were constructed to deal with the deep bottom. The discovery extended the life of the BGD enterprise and boosted the value of BGD shares.