WARATAH INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1005, 21 December 1910, Page 5

WARATAH INQUIRY.

EVIDENCE BY OWNER. QUESTIONS AS TO STABILITY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, December 19. The inquiry into the loss of the Lund liner Waratah, on or about July 27, 1909, while on the voyage from Durban to Cape Town, en route from Australia to England, was continued to-day. Mr. J." Dickinson, Metropolitan Police Magistrate, presided over the Court, with Admiral Davis, Commander Lyon (of the Naval Reserve), Professor Walsh, and Mr. J. H. Hallett as assessors. AY. F. Lund, of the firm of W. Lund and Sons, owners of the Waratah, said ho understood the Waratah to be of greater stability than the steamer Geelong, of the same line. He also stated that he was not aware before the Warntlih sailed that she was incapable of going to sea with coal and water ballast alone. Continuing,- witness stated that the Waratah was not built as an experiment. No alterations were suggested or made during her construction. or after her •maiden voyage. The, builders never adversely criticised tho designs. Captain Ilbery never threatened to leave if the boat deck .was not removed. None of the officers or crew threatened to, or did, leave the vessel. The Waratah was not ordered to make' an unusually fast passage. Captain Ilbery reported that 'the Waratah when in light condition wis not as stable as the Geelong. Captain Ilbery never convinced liim that the Waratah was lacking in stability, but witness said so in a letter to the builders, in order to press other matters requiring settlement.