RIPPLE VICTIM.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18549, 26 November 1925, Page 8

RIPPLE VICTIM.

WIDOW CLAIMS £ISOO.

SEA W ORTH IN ESS QI : ESTI ON ED.

\.rn.T.ss Assocunos tkugrau.)

WELLINGTON, November 2,"».

The claim l>y Maud Ellen Nicholson, willow of the late chief officer of the Ripple, which was lost in ft storm off Cape Palliser on August 7th, 1924, for £I3OO damages from the owners of the stenmcr, Richardson and Company, of Xapier, is being heard by his Honour Mr Justice Alpers at the Supreme Court.

Plaintiff's case alleges that the ship wont to sea in an unscaworthy condition, owing to the way the cargo was stowed. a>ul the company did not obtain the advice of the Government meteorologist as to the prospects of danger in a storm. Arthur Page, lighthouse-keeper at Cape Palliser, said that on the night in question he saw a vessel at sea, three miles off. The vessel sfnt up an S.O.S. about 12.20 a.m. He found that she was the Ripple, and got in touch with Featherston and then Wellington. The Ripple asked if he had established commuuication with Wellington. Ho got in touch with Captain Petersen, who said he was sending the tug Terawhiti from Wellington. About 2 a.m. the vessel disappeared. Ho had never soen a more severe storm on the East Coast. Daniel Bates, director of the Meteorological Office, produced records dealing with the date. Ho had forecast a* disturbance, and the storm took place ou the sth. On tho morning of the Gth he issued a special warning of heavy gales northward of Cook Strait. The storm developed, especially in the evening. Tho centre of the storm was at Cape Palliser. The seas would be at their worst there between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.

"Difficult Ship to Load." Joseph William Friar, a watersider employed, in loading the Ripple, said she was a most difficult ship to load. Sho had to be loaded with extreme care or she would list. He thought casks were the most dangerous kind of cargo to stow, and should not under any circumstances be used to trim a ship. Casks "were dangerous cargo on deck, as they were difficult to secure, and easily broke loose. The second cook of the Kamo deposed to the Ripple having a decided list to port when leaving harbour. At this stage a witness for the defence, Captain Martin, master of the Waitoa, was called. He said tho Waitoa left later than the Ripple. Five other ships left the same afternoon. List Alleged. Frederick Howell, able seaman, as-sistant-secretary of tho Seamen's Union, said he had assisted in loading the vessel. She was a touchy ship, and required careful loading. The Ripplo had a list. If Captain Tomliuson said he had examined tho Ripple before she sailed and that she had no list, he would be committing perjury, and so would other witnesses who made similar statements. Witness did not know the Ripplo was sailing with such a list. Had he known that, it would have been his duty to have advised the seamen to leave the vessel rather than take her to sea. : Mr Watson, at this stage, asked for a nonsuit on the grounds that there was no negligence on the part of the defendant company or that ,the deceased met his doath as a result of any negligence. There was no evidence that the cargo was wrongly stowed. His Honour: The evidence shows there was a preponderance of casks on one side. The hearing was adjourned.