SHIPPING CASUALTIES IN THE PACIFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 165, 14 July 1902, Page 2

SHIPPING CASUALTIES IN THE PACIFIC.

(To the Editor.} Sir,—l> is very remarkable that so many vessels have -come to grief in the South Pacific during the past tvslj years,- usually dismasted, and ; it very s|range that all of them carried the same sort of cargo, viz., nickel ore The Max put into this port dismasted had fresh sticks put in her, and before reaching her destination yn%. again dismasted. The Casma put mi to this port in trouble, Craignair left Auckland to load nickel ore at th& Islands, and after her departure jvitiher cargo was never heard of, and now the Ardencraig comes in, in the same condition. . The Grande. Duehese d'Olga, sister ship to the Max, was ''dismasted at the Islands about ten months ago, laden witl» the same material. Now, Sir, is there not reason to on whether th» cargo is properly stowed on thtffe vessels? When a vessel is" loaded with'any cargo of the above nature, such as iron ore or other deadweight, unless the precaution is taken 16 have a platform between the cargo and the floor of tiie hold, the centre of gravity will be in the wrong plate, too low down. In such a case seataiii or practical men would say she was too "stiff" —her sides would offer strong resistance to the shock of it wave, and in the event of a squall striking, her she would heel over a little, and then, owing to the bad stowage of the cargo, would bring her* back to- perpendicularity with; too sharp a shock, and ih all probability" her backstays would be snapped, her sticks going overboard. I think, Sir; that the Ardencraig should not. be allowed to leave port until she. has been thoroughly examined, especially : as regards the stowage of her cargo by practical men. We have a Marine Superintendent here. Why does not; the Marine Department or Collector of Customs instruct him to examine this vessel and report. I also thiak* for their own interests, the underwriters should insist on this being , , done. Her cargo is safd to be stowed right on the floor of the hold, and in all likelihood if she is allowed to leave as she is at present loaded she will meet with fresh misfortune, per*.; haps, like, the Graignair, and many others, becoming one of those awful words "never heard of ."—I am, etc;, . J.K KNEEN, Secretary Seamen's Union.