KAIRAKI WRECK

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 102, 27 October 1914, Page 8

KAIRAKI WRECK

'» — FINDING OF COURT OF ENQUIRY HATCHWAY DIVISIONS TOO LARGE. (IT TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATI9N.) GREYMOUTH,' This Day. The enquiry into the wreck of the Kairaki has concluded. The finding of the Court was that there was nothing to show that the vessel had sustained any injury by reason of her stranding on a previous visit to Hokitika. In regard to leaking at Lyttelton, it appears there was some water in the hold, but nothing to show an unusual quantity. Though orders were given to sound the wells in every watch from Lyttelton to Wellington the result of such soundings was not now ascertainable. The evidence showed that the hatchways were fairly large and contained only one thwart-ship beam and a fore;and-aft beam in two sections. Tho Court was of opinion that the divisions of the hatchways were too large to withstand heavy weather. There was no evidence of the diver to show whether the hull was strained or otherwise damaged. The nature of the damage to the deck gear suggests that it was done before the vessel foundered. It was clear from the evidence and the experience of other masters in the same vicinity that it was necessary to steer a wide course that night, and Captain Scott, of the Kairaki, would probably set a fairly wide course. Two theories were open to acoount for his being close to the shore : First, that the vessel made great leeway ; and secondly, assuming a breakdown, that the vessel was 'being intentionally beached. The Court recommended that greater attention should be paid to tho better securing of the hatches, by providing more thwart-ship beams and more fore-and-aft beams, and securing both sets of beams by rivets or bolts, and by providing bars or straps either of iron or of wood to be placed fore and aft on top of the hatches for greater security in rough weather. The Kairaki was sufficiently manned and equipped.