THE LOSS OF THE OHAU.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1899, Page 6

THE LOSS OF THE OHAU.

EVIDENCE AS TO HOW SHE LEFT POKT. [BY TELBGIUriI— -I'RKSS ASSOCIATION.] Greymoutu, 15th June. Tlio enquiry into tho loading of the lost steamer Oh>iu, and the manner in which sho loft (.Tixjymouth on her lust trip, was commenced in tho Courthouse, before Mr. Northcroft, S.M., and Captains Bignell and Maroeil, this morning, when tho following ovidence wu.s given: — Jnnws Dobbie, tho engineer of the Tnuyo, stated that, although ho had not been engaged on the fe)hau, tho Tuupo was a sister ship, and had often carried deck cargo, behaving well in rough weather. Ho had never seen water in the engine-room, and did not think the clips on tho hatches could wash off. Under cross-examination, Mr. Dobbie said tho steering gear of tho Ohau was good, but if anything went wrong they still had tho hand gear. He did not think there was any danger in carrying deck cargo. Both the Taupo and the Ohau wore well-built ships. J. Mason, wharf supervisor for the Union' Company at Greymouth,| stated that it was part of his duty to see to vessels being loaded. Ho saw the Ohun loaded on her last trip. Her cargo consisted of 780 tons coal, 33 tons coke, and 13,000 feet timber. The latter was on the main deck, and was secured by wires and chains. Tho cargo on her last trip was below the average. Sho. could have gone three inches deeper, and was in good order when she left tho port. Ho noticed the Plimsoll mark. Cross-examined, witness said it was a fine day when the streamer left. Tho timber was plaoed on both sides of the hatches the weight being from 27 to 30 tons. Captain Sutherland, of the Rosamond, said he had been engaged in the timber trade. He was about the lust to see tho Ohau, on the 13th tilt. The weather was then bad. The Rosamond had just got out of it, and tho Ohau was going into it. Ho was about a quarter of a mile from tho Ohau. The steamer was all right then* (The weather got worse nfter ho passed her. Tho Ohau would have been close to Cape Campbell about 5 o'clock. It then looked very pad. Under cross-examination, witness said tho Ohau appeared to be in her ordinary condition when she passed. Ho thought it w«s quite safe to carry deck cargo. Captain Connor, who had been harbourmaster at Qreymouth for thirteen years, saw tho Ohau after she was loaded, and before site left. She was then about an inch below tho mark, which, would bo .-iboufc two and a-half nbove in salt water. He gave permission to load 15,000 feet of timber, but she only took 13,000. This would average a little over two tons per thousand. The steamer left skort-loaded, the coal not being to hand. Tho cargo was under tho average. Tho Ohau and Taupo were strong, but wet ships. If timber was well stowed it would make the ship more buoyant. If it broke away, being all small pieces, it would clear and lighten the ship. He did not think the deck cargo allowed by regulations excessive. The Taupo and tho Ohau used to load much heavier years ago than latterly. Under cross-examination, Captain Connor said he had often to stop vessels from • loading. He had to do so with the Gertio and tho Moa quite recently. Ho had refused to allow a ship going to Africa to carry a deck load, sho being a "crank." He would not care about going to sea in either tho Taupo or the Ohau. The hatches were too big and* frail, and required .strengthening. They were hatches of 100 years ago, only much larger and less secure, because of their size. Tho Olism was considered a better boat than the Taupo. He thought tho hatches should 1)6 better secured with iron. The Herald lost both her hatches, and had a narrow csoapo. The enquiry was then adjourned.