Kelvinbank Lost

AS reported briefly last month; UK Bank Line steamship Kelvinbank went aground on a reef off Ocean Island on January 6 and subsequently was abandoned as a total loss.

The vessel had let go the moor-j ings at midnight at completion of the day’s loading—she had 2,000 tons of phosphate aboard —and was steaming in from seaward to re-| sume moorings at daybreak when the stranding occurred.

Efforts were made to lighten the vessel by dumping phosphate but a heavy swell defeated all efforts to clear her, Kelviribank being forced on top of the remains of the old| Ooma wreck there 25 years ago] The vessel was close inshore and there was no danger to her crew during the nine days of strenuous! salvage operations, organised byj Captain J. W, Herd, salvage experti from Sydney and Captain E. HJ Bullman, marine superintendent of the Bank Line, who were flown! from Suva by a RNZAF Catalina. I The Titanhank of the same com pany stood by, and subsequently brought most of the crew to Auck land. The Master, Captain R. E.

Shorthouse and five officers remainj ing at Ocean Island for a marina inquiry which was conducted thera on January 29.

On January 30, Mrs. Herd lefl| Melbourne in the phosphate ship!

Trienza to go to her husband, Capti J. W. Herd, who had collapsed that day on Ocean Island.