LOSS OF THE SUMATRA.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17807, 5 July 1923, Page 9

LOSS OF THE SUMATRA.

THE VESSEL'S SEAWORTHINESS. (8T CABUB—PB!ISB ABSOCIAWOK—COmiOBT.) (ATJBTBAIJAB. AIIS N,Z. CiBLS ASSOCTATIOI?J MELBOURNE, July 4. The Prime Minister, Mr 8. M. Bruce, replying to a question in the House of Representatives respecting the Sumatra, quoted & report by Cap~ tain Richardnon, who commanded the vessel for a considerable period prior to her last voyage. In his report the secretary of tho N.S.W. Department of Navigation, Captain Richardson said: "The author of tho statements thatthe Sumatra was.-hot seaworthy, does not know hifi subject. It is a'-great , pity that such statements fir© pubI Lished of these disasters." Tho report detailed the particulars of the overhauling and and i concludes: "It is estimated that the I ship had another 10 years of life.*' Mr Bruce renin rJted that the, charges against the Administration were grossly unfair, and calculated to mislead tho public. If the shipping enquiry found that further action was necessary, it would be taken without delay. SYDNEY, July 4. It is reported that since 1917, approximately -£31,G00 was spent in overhauling the Sumatra. The value of the ship after survey has been estimated in 1 shipping ci:rcies at £SOOO. AN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Received July 4th, 11.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 4. A report submitted to the ActingPremier of Now South Wales by the Navigation Department states that the Sumatra,on. May l?th, after completion of the repairs necessary % a« tho result of the veissel going ashore on St. ~ Matthias Island near New Guinea, was reported upon. The hull was declared seaworthy, but the life-saving appliance* were very defective. These were later brought up to official requirements. The vessel at no time carried a certificate from the New South Wales Navigation Department, nor was it eurreyed by the Department at the request of the Commonwealth authorities. The action taken by the <> State was solely due to the Superintendent of Navigation who wiehed the practice of supervision sto continue without exception, and issued instJructions to his officers accordingly. The genera] secretary of the Merchant Service Guild ©ays the reported figures of the money expended na overhauling and repairing .the Sumatra since 1917 are ridiculous and preposterous, ANOTHER DISASTER FEARED. (Eeceived July 4th, 11.5 p.m.) ADELAIDE, July 4. Fears are entertained that another shipping disaster has occurred, wreckage, consisting of kerosene tins, new hatches, and foreign papers, having been discovered near Cape Northumberland. A search is being made along the COE3t.