LOSS OF STEAMER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 188, 10 August 1936, Page 8

LOSS OF STEAMER.

ABEL TASMAN INQUIRY

SUGGESTIONS FOR MOORINGS,

EVIDENCE CONCLUDED.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GREYMOUTH. this day.

The inquiry into the wreck of the steamer Abel Tasman, which broke awav from the Greymouth wharf on July 18 ami was stranded on North Reach, was continued to-day before Mr. 11. Morgan, S.M., with Captain J. Mawson and Captain F. W. Baron as assessors. Mr. N. A. Foden appeared for the Minister of Marine and the Collector of Customs, Mr. E. K. Kirkcaldie for Captain Archibald and the owners of the vessel, and ill*. E. A. Kitchingham for the Grey Harbour Board. Captain 11. A. Dillner was adviser for the Marine Department. The healing of evidence was concluded on Saturday, and to-day counsel addressed the Court. Continuing his evidence on Saturday, Frederick William Cox, harbourmaster, stated to his knowledge three vessels had broken away at Greymouth during flood-time, namely, the Ta-upo, Omana and Abel Tasman! The present mooring system had always been adopted. The flood on July IS was not such as to cause concern. The trouble really was the defects in the ship's chains. He suggested that when a second cable was put out a 4J.in steel wire mooring line should be used instead of the anchor chain, and that the port anchor should remain shackled to the chain ready for instant use. A special steel-wire line should be kept on the ship for mooring. Witness also suggested an extra turn around the mooring'posts. He did not fa\ oni the practice of slackening the stem moorings and allowing the ships to ease out from the wharf, as this led to the shoaling of the berthage. The Abel Tasman was moored as well as possible. "Complied With Requirements." Henrv Moar, deputv-liarbourmaster, stated 'that on July 18, he instructed the Kaimai to put out a second cable. The moorings of the Abel Tasman complied with requirements. He was told steam was handy. The pressure was UiOlb. Witness did not consider it licccssarv to we the ship's engines with a current of eight knots, but he was in favour of using them when it was ten knots There was a danger to the propellers from logs when the engines were rmilliner. There was no objection to the propeller just turning ovei. A similar system of mooring was m -»ogue at Westpovt. Mr. T. D. C. Milne, harbour cngineei, stated that the cause of the Omana s breakaway last year was the failuie of a crystallised shackle. The kaponga wreckage was 115 ft north of the centre of the navigable channel and there wis ample room for vessels if tney kept the course indicated by the beacon>.. This morning Mr. Foden cnticis Harbour Board, alleging laxity of control in the mooring arrangements. ifr Kite"-inghain defended the board, saving that if the port had a defective system the Marine Department should draw attention to it and endeavour remedv it. In the past seventy years only three vessels had broken away from the wliarf and the breakaway of the Omana had been due to a defcctne shackle. . Mr. Kirkcaldie claimed that the evidence completely exonerated Captain Archibald, and submitted that there was no evidence that the vessel's equipment was unsatisfactory. The Court adjourned until 4 p.m.