DISABLED STEAMER’S VAIN WAIT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 200, 21 May 1931, Page 10

DISABLED STEAMER’S VAIN WAIT

Signals and Messages for Aid

GRAVE HAZARDS ON A LEE SHORE

Further Evidence Before Marine Court of Inquiry

Proceedings in the marine inquiry into the loss of the steamship Progress on May 1 have now occupied three full days at the Magistrate's Court, and there is no immediate prospect of the inquiry coming to an end. The Court adjourned at 5.45 p.m. yesterday until 10.30 a.m. to-day with an announcement by Mr. E. Page, S.M., who is presiding, that he intended to make no break until proceedings weie finished. As things stand now, the evidence of the master and crew of the Progress, that of the marine surveyors and two of the Harbour Board signalmen has been given. A good deal of evidence, followed by the addresses of counsel, remains to be heard. The first witnesses yesterday were two members of the ciew. Marine surveyors were next in the witness-box, and then the signalmen. A good' deal of interest attached itself to the signalmen’s stories and to the evidence given by the master of the tug Terawhiti. who started out for the Progress on the morning following the ship’s breakdown, but returned without leaving the harbour. His statement of the reasons for his return, and of the danger of trying to get a line to the Progress, was listened to with attention, and there was a good deal of examination toward the end of the afternoon. Counsel for the master of the tug Toia intimated that his examination of the witness would take some time, and the Court therefore adjourned until to-day.

With Mr. Page as nautical assessors were Captains L. C. 11. Worrall and E. Cartner, and as engineering assessor Mr. F. ML Granger. Mr. J. Prendeville represented the Marine Department; Mr. E, K. Kirkcaldie appeared for Captain Copland, of the Progress; Mr. G. G. Watson for the owners, Holm and Co.; Mr H. J. V. James and Mr. 8. J. Castle for the Wellington Harbour Board; Mr. C A. L. Treadwell for the master of the tug Toia; Mr. 0. C. Mazengarb for the Marine Engineers’ Institute and the widow of the ehief engineer, Mr. 1. M. Simpson. Mr. E. P. Hay was instructed by the Seamen’s Union to appear for the seamen and firemen of the Progress and in the interests of the deceased and injured seamen. Mr. F. P. Walsh, general president of the union, also appeared.

Evidence From Crew.

John James Morgan, able seaman, and a member of the crew of the Progress, said that when the ship stopped at 7 p.m. on April 30 there was nothing peculiar about it, apart from a severe vibration. The weather changed toward 9 o clock, when the wind seemed to be increasing gradually. He did not think the tug came any nearer to them than at least three ship’s lengths. When the tug arrived he could see the coastline, from which he considered they were two miles distant. Witness was at the ships side when the messenger line from the Tout was coming aboard. He could not safely say how much of it they hauled in. but it would be approximately. 20 fathoms or more. When they floated out the second line they expected the tug to come back. Mr. Prendeville: When do you think you were’really in danger.'' -“When the tug deserted us.” To Mr. Kirkcaldie witness said that .it had been blowing “very fresh” when the Arahura was in the neighbourhood of the Progress. He knew at that tune that a lug had been sent for. At daylight the next morning they were about a mile and a half from the shore, and a similar distance off lied Hocks (near Sinclair Head), which were astern of them. When the messenger line from the Toia parted on t.he Progress's foc's’le head, the Toia would be about three ships lengths away. Witness and others had had instructions to slacken, and the cause of the break seemed to be the tugs steaming out to sea. To Mr. Mazengarb he said he did not know why the sails had been set after the propeller had come off. The next morning they had attempted to sail the ship, but. he did not know whether it was' with the idea of beaching the vessel or of trying to reach the lug. Mr. -Mazengarb: Between those two attempts to sail the vessel —the first when there was not. sufficient wind, and the second, next day, when it was too rough could the ship have been sailed jnto port or away from the shore? —“No.” What would prevent it?—“Well, I should say she would not have enough canvas to make sufficient headway. She'd make more leeway than headway.” Witness told Mr. Huy that the tug, when it came out, had cruised in the vicinity of the Progress for an hour and a half. During the first half-hour the tug appeared to be trying to turn head on to' the seas and drift toward the Progress stern first. To Mr. Walsh he said that he remembered having been heavily shaken off his balance when the ship fouled the dredge mooring wire nt Wanganui. After this the steering was affected 1 and it required half a turn of starboard for an amidship helm. He remembered at Picton having gone round the vessel in a small boat with the master to have a look at Iho propeller. When Mr. Walsh asked witness whether he expected the Toia to come close enough to heave a line, Mr. Treadwell objected, saying that there bad been a groat number of similar questions asked. What did it matter what able seamen said about such things? They had an unfair effect, and although ho knew the court was experienced, such questions did have an effect. Time and again that sort of question had been asked anti they had no evidential value whatever. Mr. Page agreed with Mr. Treadwell that such questions could be dispensed with.

Continuing, witness said that at no time had tlie tug been close enough for a line to be heaved alma rd. Mr. M’alsli (to witness) : As an experienced seaman, what did you feel like wlieu tlie Toia deserted you? Mr. Treadwell rose to object, nnd Mr. Walsh substituted "left" for “deserted” m his question.

“M e Want the Facts.

Mr. Page: I don't think it matters what he felt-like, Air. Walsh. We want the facts. . , , Witness told Mr. Page that he did not know of any difficulty which would have prevented the tug picking up the second line they floated. There might, have been a little more difficulty in the morning, when the sea was heavier. Mr. Page: Was she getting a very bad time when she was picking up your line the first time? —“Oh no. Nothing out of the ordinary.’’ Mr. Page: It was suggested that at one stage she was taking green seas aboard. —“I couldn’t say whether she was shipping sens. She was too far away. She was rolling.” James Alfred Collins, ordinary seaman and a member of the crew of the Progress, also gave evidence.

Surveyors’ Evidence.

Henry Edward McClelland, engineer ami surveyor of ships, said that when ho surveyed the hull of the Progress in November last he found everything in good order. ... , , , To Mr. Mazengarb he said that he had not looked at the tail-shaft, but had found the stern gland in quite good condition. There were more possibilities of corrosion on a non-continuonsly lined tail-shaft. If after the accident at Waii'mnni the engine had made the same revolutions but the vessel had slackened the speed, one would assume that some damage had been done to the propeller. It dll not necessarily follow, although it. was n probability, that-the tail-shaft of n vessel would be affected when and if the propeller blade were bent. It would have taken two days for I he Progress to have her tail-shaft withdrawn and examined on the slip, said witness. , . , , To Mr. Watson he said that he had Inspected the engine-room ami had found everything in a satisfactory condition.

■ including the end of the tail-shaft which camt- into the engine-room. Mr. Watson: One witness said yesterday that the tail-shaft was corroded and eaten by rust half an inch deep all round and that it. was in a serious condition. You would have noticed that, wouldn’t you?—“Yes.” Witness would not expect any damage to the tail-shaft from the mishap at Wanganui. He had known engines to “bring up” with no damage. If the records of the vessel for some months afterward showed that there was no decrease in speed and no increase in coal consumption he would conclude that the propeller and tail-shaft had not been damaged. A common cause of tail-shaft failure was fatigue of the metal—which no one could foresee or prevent. To Mr. Hay, who' suggested that considerable changes might have taken place in the four months which elapsed between the time of his inspection and that of the witness mentioned in connection with the alleged rusting, witness said the shaft had been painted. Some rusting could occur, especially down toward the stern of a vessel. To Mr. Walsh witness said that he could not imagine any reason for a decrease in speed which might have occurred after the Wanganui accident. Witness had been a ship’s surveyor since 1914 and had been with the Admiralty at London. Mr. Walsh: From your long experience of ships and ship owners would you say it was usual for a ship owner to have a spare tail-shaft ready when his ship lias already a satisfactory tailshaft fitted?—"Well, they are fools if they don’t. Every ship should have a spare shaft.” George David Ligett. engineer and surveyor of ships, said he had examined the tail shaft, in November. 1929. when it was in good condition. It was due to be examined again in October, 1931. He. did not know how old it was. but. it. was oversize and in excess of requirements. He did ' not seen how an engineer on the inboard side could have come to say that “the tail shaft was down another sixteenth of an -inch.” Mr. Hay : If it came to your notice that the ship had struck a mooring rope at Wanganui some months before the accident. would it suggest itself to you as a possible cause for the accident? —“Well, I don't even know what happened nt Wanganui. If it were only a mooring rope I would say ‘No’ —definitely.”

Lifeboat of Some Service.

Captain William John Keane, master mariner, surveyor of ships for the Marine Department, Wellington, said that everything was in good order when he surveyed lhe ship in November, and that for a small coastal vessel it. was very well equipped with life-saving appliances. Mr. Mazengarb: I have seen some suggestion that a lifeboat: al: Island Bay would have been of some service. M’oilld a lifeboat have been of service in tiie morning?—“At some stage it probably would have, but not at the time of the wreck. It might have been used for running a line between the tug and the Progress. It could have been launched from rhe shore?—“Yes. but no boat could have been launched from the Toia.” Frank Edward Puddick, .signal station watchman on Beacon Hill, said he had been on duty from 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on April 30 last. Tlie Huia passed in at. 7.30 p.m.—lie had called her up at 7 p.m.—but be did not see the Progress during tin'll time. He first got a message about the Progress at 8.25 p.m. from the Opawa. M’itness thought that Captain Copland must have mistaken his reply to the Huia for a reply to himself, ’lhe' Progress might be able to see his light, but lie had not seen hers. The ship, according to all reports, was miles south-west of Pencarrow. and might have been obscured from his view by the big hill called Palmer Head, or West Head. M’itness’s signal lamp was high above him and the Progress might have seen it, although he could not. from his position, see the Progress. Immediately after receiving tlie message al 8.25 p.m. from the Opawa, lie telephoned Captain Holm's house.

Signalman’s Story.

“A lady answered.” said witness, "and said that' Captain Holm wasn't at home. He might be in Newtown or Island Bay electioneering, she said, but as the hall had no telephone they didn't know how to get into communication with him, 1 told her that, the Progress had lost her propeller and J wanted to Jot Captain Holm know urgently. “After that .1 rang the harbourmaster, witness continued. "Mrs. Spence told me that he was at the theatre. I thou rang Captain Petersen, but got no response. and rang the wharf foreman and pilot staff. I told him about the Progress and the message I had got. from the Opawa. He replied saying he'd get Captain Spence, but I said he was out. ‘Well. I know’ where to get him.’ he said. I t.biiik it was at ten to nine that f got Captain Petersen on the phone, and he asked me (he position of the Progress.” Shortly afterward, said witness. he had seen the Arabura going toward the Progress and a little while after 9 o'clock Captain Spence rang witness and asked the position of the I’rogress. Mr. Prendeville: What did you give as the position?—“About a mile off shore between the point dividing Lyall .Bay and Island Buy and Sinclair Head. That was at the time I could see it.” “At 20 to 10,” witness continued, “Captain Spence rang up and asked the position again, and I told him practically the same, and that the wind and sea were increasing. ‘Oh,’ he said,.‘we’d better get the tug down.’ That was the reply he gave me. “About 0.45, someone speaking tor Captain Holm rang up ami asked how the Progress was getting on. I said she was riding all right. He replied. ‘IVe'U have to get the tug out.’ I answered. ‘Yes. the sooner the better, as the sea and the wind are increasing.'

“At 10 o'clock t 'rang the watch foreman again on the wharf asking him if the tug were coming. He replied that it was. in a few minutes.” At 10.20. witness continued, the Progress .Horsed and asked whether the tug was coming out. Witness answered that it was coming now. That was the first and only message be exchanged with the vessel while on watch. At 7 o'clock the wind had been from the south-smith-east, moderate to fresh, and it increased to fresh al 10 o'clock. . When witness came on at 6 o’clock the

next morning, the weather was from a strong to moderate gale, and the sea was heavy. The Progress was still there, and had not shifted at all from her position on the previous night. The Toia looked as if she were beginning to come back, and was from a mile to half a mile distant from the Progress. Witness was watching the Progress all the time until 12 o’clock, and she did not shift her position until about 11 o'clock. The Terewhiti went into Morser Lay at 8 o’clock, and the master, Captain W’illson, spoke to him on the telephone and said that if the Toia, as witness said, were coming back, and could not do anything, it was no use him going down there. Witness suggested that during the lulls in the sea he might do some good. Continuing his evidence when the court resumed in the afternoon, witness said that at 10.50 a.m. he saw the Progress flying two flags. “NO,” which meant “in distress, want immediate assistance. He got a message at 11 a.m. from the Toia through the wireless station asking for the position of the Progress. lhe tug was getting down toward the vessel Witness replied that it was about a mile off Lyall Bay, was in distress and wanted immediate assistance. Hie Toia bad previously come into the Heads at 7.5, back to wharf, and out through the Heads again at 10.15. ’ He saw the Progress hoist main ami fore trysails in the morning and saw her make headway out to sea. He thought she would get out after all without the Tola’s assistance. She fell back, however, and went out of witness’s range of view at 11.30 a.m. To Mr. Kirkcaldie witness said that somebody had told him that the Progress was signalling to him early in the evening, and he had consulted his log. seen that the Huia was coming in at that time, and asked to amend his evidence. Mr. Kirkcaldie: You think it was a coincidence for Captain Copland to signal to you at the same time as the Huia? —"Yes.”

That involves this: that if the signals to the Huia were seen by the Progress it must have been in your line of vision at the time? —“Well, it was in the line of vision of my light, but not in line of vision of me.” You saw the Arahura circling lhe Progress before 9 o’clock? —“Yes, quite easily.” Can you account for the fact that you got no message from the Opawa right from the time she passed Sinclair Head to the time she came into the harbour—nearly an hour? —“She must have been out of sight behind Palmer Head most of the time.”

Did you see rockets? —“No. I was looking for rockets. I had orders.” “When did you get them?—“Captain Petersen told me at ten to nine.” But these were before then. You did not see any?—“No. Perhaps I was occupied in taking a message from the Opawa.” ■When the Opawa went by did you call up the Progress and ask what ship? — “No.”

Or what is wrong?—“No.” But at 8.25 p.m. you knew from the Opawa that the Progress was in the Straits without her propeller?—“l did; yes.” At ten to nine you saw the Arahura steam all round her?—“Yes.”

And you had no communication with him until 10.20? —“No.” You never sent a single message or word of cheer or told him the tug was coming?—"No, not until I was asked.” But you had been ringing up people on shore? —“Yes, I got busy.” It was 20 to 10 before you got a message about sending the tug from town?— “Quite right.” .Mr. Mazengarb: If this had been a passenger vessel in distress could you have done any more for her than you did? —“Not a bit.” How long have you been employed by the Harbour Board? —"Nearly fifteen years.” Have you known a tug to be sent out before? —“Yes, often.”

Mr. TroadweH Objects.

Have you ever known it. to be dispatched with greater promptitude than it was dispatched on this occasion? — “Oh yes.” . ■ Or any case of emergency when it has taken longer to dispatch a tug than on this occasion? —“No, I don’t know of any occasion.” So that in your 15 years of experience this is a record for- slowness? Mr. Treadwell, appearing for the tugmaster, rose to his feet. “The question is put in such a way as not to help, but to be offensive. To compare the time it takes a boat to go out under circumstances which were entirely different when the boat went, out on other occasions is of no assistance to von, sir, but merely offensive to my client.” Mr. Page (to Mr. Mazengarb) : “Yes, I don’t think I his witness will assist us. r don't, think we must hear you further on this point.” To Mr. Hay witness said that when the Arahura was circling the Progress at 9 pm the weather hail been making for some time. He would say that rather than describe it as threatening.

Question of Obscurity

At. the end of Mr. Puddiek’s evidence, Mr. Kirkcaldie said that ’t "’as obvious that when the Arahura steamed all round the Progress they had been seen. He submitted that with an important matter of this kind it ought to be shown definitely whether the Progress had been drifting in an area obscured from the signalman by Palmer Head or not obscured. No signals had been received from the progress between 7 p.m. and <8.25 p.m. Tlie court agreed to ascertain the limits of the obscured patch of water. Hector M. Mackay, the signal station watchman, who was on duty from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.. said that he had had inquiries from Captain I.lolni at 10.30 or soon afterward, and twice later from Captain Spence. On the second occasion !>e_ was talking to Captain Spence, at 12.15. ho fold him the tug was five minutes from the Progress. At 12.5 the Progress signalled him to ask the tug to hurry. He signalled it to the Toia. About 11.20. When the Toia was abreast of Seatoun it asked for tlie position of tlie Progress To Mr. Kirkcaldie. witness said that during the first conversation witli Captain Spence lie had been asked to let tlie captain know when the rug had picked up lhe Progress. Witness considered the Toia reached Hie Progress nt 12.T> am. To Mr. Mazengarb witness said flint weather conditions bad made him apprehensive for tlie safety of the vessel just as they had the previous witness. In accordance with a request from th" Toia. witness asked the Progress Io show blue lights. He had seen the light on the buoy the Progress floated across.

Went Up Very Close.

To Mr. Treadwell witness said that when the Toia went up to the Progress it. had gone up very close, as far as he could see. lie-was watching as closely as he could. . ~ , . Later, to Mr. Castle, witness said that the Progress had signalled them to tell the tug to hurry. At the time the tug was just passing outside the heads. This would be at the same time as was indicated by the ffig for the Toia clearing the heads —11.35 pan. Mr. Kirkcaldie wanted to know it lie was to understand that there was n record of this request to hurry, which was received from the Progress. fo Mr. Page, witness said there was no record. Mr? Kirkcaldie said that it surprised him because Captain Copland would swear that no such message had been sent.

Captain Willson's Evidence.

Edwin Havelock Willson, master of the Terawhiti, the Union Company's lug. said he first beard of the Progress at 4.30 a.m., when lie was (old that he might have to go out. He got definite orders shortly before 5 a.m. to got. the tug ready to go 'out and assist the Progress. In the early part of the conversation be was told that' the Toia was out there and appeared to have had difficulty in getting a line on board the Progress. Owing fo the severity of the weather rather elaborate preparations were necessary. It was not a question of raising steam —it was a question of making things secure and seaworthy. Mr. Page: How long would if take you under the conditions existing that morn-ing?--“About two hours-—with musterin'! llm crew.”

Mr. Premier-, ille: Wlmf film- did you r,n :iv?—"Ten minutes to seven.” With a crew of eight and Captain Holm

aboard they went down the harbour under easy steam taking in fenders. Near Halswell Point they passed the Toia, and witness hailed him and asked what the weather was like out there. The Toia replied that there was a very heavy sen running. . Just past Seatoun witness saw by the behaviour of the vessel that there was a very heavy sea. He went in to Seatoun Wharf and rang up beacon Hill, lie wanted to confirm the report from the Toia and to find out the position of the Progress. Why He Turned Back. “The signalman told me that the Progress was then about a mile off t.he rocks,” said witness. “There was only one procedure then. We communicated with Island Bay fishermen, asking if one of the big launches could get out of Island Bav and if necessary run a line off to us.' They stated that it was low water, the sea was breaking heavily at the entrance, and no launch could get out. “I reluctantly declined to proceed any further, as the only means left that I could see of getting communication, or rather getting a line across to the Progress would be to nurse my ship through the Heads under easy steam and proceed to sea on an angle that would bring me south of the Progress; then turn round and manoeuvre inside between the shore and the Progress. “I would have had to go quite a distance in to allow for rounding up heal to sea and slipping across his quarter to pass a heaving line on board. The effect of his cables being down would prevent me crossing the bow. Under the circumstances I wasn't prepared to take that risk—to go inshore under | ‘l>" existing weather conditions.” Mr. Prendeville: Supposing she had been three miles from the shore, would you have gone?—“Yes. I would have gone.” Then it was only the fact that she was a mile off shore? —“Yes.” You say that it was the knowledge that you would have to manoeuvre astern of her and inshore that made you think it was useless? —“Yes, it was that fact. At the. time of the conversation she was a mile off. and she would. probably be in closer.” Witness had been out in heavier weather. . Did you have any arguments with Captain Holm about it? —“No.” To Mr. Page witness said that Captain Holm had been naturally very upset about it. He was worried about the Progress. "I Have the Last Say.” Mr. Page: Did he concur or not with your decision? —“I am not quite sure about that, because I have the last, say.” To Mr. Kirkcaldie, witness said that steam had been ready quite a time before they were ready on deck. On a big job they required four extra hands, and for urgent jobs they might take some of the permanent staff or men off a warship. if one were in port. The crew had been gathered by about 6 a.m., and nearly another hour had been spent in getting the shin ready. He could have got out of the harbour if necessary, and he had seen the fishing boat Futurist go out about 9 o’clock. ■Witness said it was difficult to say whether the Terawhiti. a salvage tug. could be taken where a fishing boat could not. At the eleventh hour, the way he had thought a line might be got aboard was the only one available when the vessel was approaching the shore. Mr. Watson: Yon will agree. Captain Willson, that the Terawhiti is, an efficient. powerful salvage tug?—“Yes.” And a good sea boat? —"That’s rather a peculiar question.” On one occasion he had been out in heavier weather. Do you mind telling me what orders you got? Were you told to go out to the Progress or not? —“To go out. to the Progress and try to get a line on hoard.” , I suppose you were being paid by Captain Holm? —“1 was not concerned with that.” Captain Holm was down bn the wliart an hour and a quarter before the ship was ready?—“He may have been. I wouldn’t take much notice.”

“Did Captain Holm Complain?”

Did he complain to you of the. delay?— “I don’t think so. Ho wouldn’t do that. I didn't take much notice.”

Did Captain Ilolm protest while you were going down the harbour and ask you to go full speed?—“He didn’t, and if he had 1 wouldn’t have taken any notice of him. I put her at full speed, and I found the men could not. handle the fenders. so I slowed her down.” Witness had gone info Seatoun wliart to get later information. Things might have changed while lie had been going down tlie harbour. He did not consider that lie could do anything in the lulls the signalman spoke of. If be had, be would have gone out. After ringing the company’s officer and saying that he was not going out he was prepared to stay inside to see if the weather improved He might have remarked this to Captain Holm, but the Toia was going out with Captain Spence and they did not want two tugs there.

“To Give it a Go.”

Mr. M’atson : Did not Captain Holm urge you to give it a'go?—“Oh yes, he might have.” Did he not remark to you : how would it be if even one man were drowned through not going out? —“I don’t remember. Had we thought we could have saved the lives of the men on the Progress wc would have gone out.” Mr. Mazengarb: M’as your decision to go out affected in any way by tlie fact that the Toia returned and passed you in the harbour? —■’None whatever.” You have said that Captain Holm was thinking of his ship and you were thinking of yours? —"les. M’ere you also thinking flint his ship was without a propeller?—“Ob, everybody knew that.”

"Did you know it would be a perilous position'for you out there?—-“Yes, but. not out there—in there."

"They Were in Dire Peril

M’ell. then, if it would have been perilous for you. did you not know they were in dire peril?—“Yes, they were in dire peril.” Well, didn’t you think you could take a little risk and go out there and try to help?—"lf I had 1 would not have returned to the wharf. 1 know what mv ship will do.” How long have you been muster ot ;t' or two periods, amounting to five ' Have you been on lhe Toia?—“Yes” You know what equipment she carries? Ami what you carry?—“Yes."

Well, what .•ippiiratns have you for sending a line across?—“No equipment—we throw heaving lines by hand.”

What equipment has the Toia?—“l believe she has a line-throwing gun, but I have never seen it.” Have you ever had any experience with a line-throwing gun?—“Once. That's wliy I don't use them.” You say it's dangerous to the i-r.’w of a small vessel in a heavy sea?—“That's my opinion." Why is it dangerous?—“lt's liable to hit somebody." Is there anything to prevent yon sending a morse signal to say that the gun is going to be fired am’ to stand clear? —“I suppose rpit.” Can you tell me what is the procedure to-night if a vessal outside the Heads in distress, having lost its propeller. signals urgently for a tug?—“Asks for a fug?”

What is the procedure Io get a tug out?—"That's for the Harbour Board t-> answer. Beacon Hill is controlled bv the Harbour Board not by my company the Union Company." Al the time In- got the message, said witness, it was impossible to do anything to save the Progress and the lives of those on it without the help of a good launch he considered. With Mr. Treadwell indicating that his examination of the witness would take some time, the court, adjourned until 10.30 ami. to-day.