File talk:NZ Wahine Salvage.jpg

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Unverifiable claim that salvage operations were underway by 24 April[edit]

Files from the Wellington Harbour Board and other parties together with newspaper records are readily available for the period of the Wahine disaster and can be easily checked online. They show that there was no salvage operation underway just two weeks after the disaster.

  • The ship shown for the salvage operation, the Holmpark, did not arrive in Wellington until July, 1968 (multiple references in WHB files). It is not completely certain when the work of salvage was commenced, but because work was needed to fit out the ship and make other preparations, the work would have commenced a few months later, possibly August or September, 1968.
  • As at the 24th April, 1968, WHB file records show that the tendering process for the salvage of the ship was still underway and had not been completed.
  • As of 12th June, 1968, WHB file records show that United Salvage Company had been appointed as salvors. It is therefore unlikely that work had commenced before this date as no formal engagement of a salvor had occurred.
  • Moorings for the Holmpark were laid at the wreck site on the 2nd August, 1968 (WHB file records). The ship was ready for survey on the 5th August.It would therefore be likely that the salvage ship (Holmpark) moved to the wreck site to begin work sometime in August of 1968. As of 26 July 1968,a file reference shows the ship was stationed at Evans Bay.
  • Aerial photos on file for the Harbour Board which were flown as at 5 May, 1968, showed there was no salvage work underway at the site as of the flight date. There was no activity taking place at the wreck site as of that date and visually it appears likely that salvage activity had not commenced as of that date.
  • An article in the Press newspaper of 8 August 1968 reports that the Holmpark salvage ship was moved to site on the previous day. Another article of 7 August 1968 reports a NZPA article dated 6 August that the Holmpark would be moved into place the next day (7 August).
  • Further newspaper reports of salvage activities at the site all date from late August 1968.
  • The only activities at the wreck site in April are for survey work being undertaken by divers in accordance with the formal inquiry that was undertaken into the disaster. (Press 26 April)
  • The cranes shown in the photo were according to a Press article of 16 August from NZPA report of 15 August due to be taken to the site "next week".

It seems abundantly clear that the date of the photo being the 24th of April, 1968, cannot be corroborated in any way. The caption should be amended in due course.

PatrickDunfordNZ (talk) 04:43, 26 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]

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