FOUNDERING OF SCOW

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 130, 26 February 1937, Page 7

FOUNDERING OF SCOW

Further Evidence in Rangi Inquiry

CONDITION OF VESSEL By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, February 25. •Stressing the importance of ascertaining definitely the condition of the iron fastenings in the vessel, Mr. N. A. Foden (Wellington), representing the Marine Department at the inquiry into the loss of the scow Rangi, suggested this morning an adjournment pending further examination of the vessel. The chairman, Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., decided to hear further evidence first.

Mr. Foden said the Department could not contradict the evidence of the witness Horne, who said the bolts were badly corroded, as the department’s officers had examined the hull before it had opened up. They admitted that the bolts were not inspected. Mr. McKean suggested that the department should also call expert evidence as to the condition of the iron fastenings. The suggestion of the last witness made the course suggested by Mr. Foden desirable. Mr. Foden agreed to call expert evidence.

Mr. Allan Moody said that the owners would grant the department permission to inspect the hull and extract bolts. Mr. Foden said the surveyors who examined the vessel would be called, but he thought the production of the bolts themselves -would obviate this.

Mr. F. P. Walsh, president of the Seamen’s Union, strongly opposed this proposal, and said that the failure of the Marine Department to call its experts suggested lack of confidence in them. One of the questions to be answered was whether the method of survey was satisfactory. This should be answered by the department: if not, the department would be running away from its job. The chairman having announced his decision to hear further evidence. William Lindsay Horne re-entered the box. He said that the weakening of the perpendicular bolts would throw greater stress on the straps or “knees,” and these, being corroded, would break under a heavy strain, with the result that the vessel would open up.