Massive wooden log washes ashore at Vizag beach

Visakhapatnam: A massive log fitted with iron hooks that washed ashore on RK Beach here, raised the curiosity of denizens. Things came to such a pass that police had to secure the area to ensure no untoward incidents occurred.
 
The log, suspected to be a bundled package of wooden railway track sleepers, washed ashore near the Navy War Memorial on the beach front on Friday night.
 
Tourists and fishermen immediately informed the police. The police pulled the log out from near the water with the help of a crane.
 
Locals flocked in numbers to have a look at it. The police stopped the onlookers from getting too close, guarding the giant log throughout the night to prevent any tampering with it.
 
Later on Saturday afternoon, the police dismantled it into pieces using a construction excavator and a crane.
 
The police said there were five layers of wooden sleepers that were packed into one.
 
Dr K Srinivas from the department of archeology said this looked more like an anchor used by old and small ships. It might have fallen off the ship around 10 years ago.
 
Tar and paint traces were found on the log. He said wood lasts a few years in sea water.
 
“This looks like a huge wooden log normally positioned along the jetty as fenders to prevent damage to ships/boats and the jetty. Nowadays, pneumatic fenders are being used,’’ said an official from the Navy.
 
Well known historian of Visakhapatnam Edward Paul said this log might have fallen from a jetty’s outer harbour in Visakhapatnam.
 
He said the police should not have dismantled it before a serious study was undertaken.
 
There have been previous instances of items washing up on the Visakhapatnam coast.