THE INQUIRY CONTINUED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 73, 26 March 1926, Page 8

THE INQUIRY CONTINUED

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE PLATES

![._. SEAMAN WHO WOULD NOT ;| STAY.

[(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, 25th March. The inquiry into the wreck of the steamer Karu was continued to-day. George Nelson, engineer on the Karu, in continuation of his evidence, said that the water rose to such a height that the fires were put out, and it was impossible to keep steam. From then on1 it was impossible to control the water, and all hands were ordered on the deck. The weather conditions resembled a cyclone, and only occasionally were such gales met with.. Under ordinary circumstances an ordinarily sound ship should have been able to stand such a sea. Mr. Mays: "Was not tho ship leaking badly before the weather . became a cyclone?"—" Certainly not." " , "How soon after crossing the bar did she begin to leak?"—" About 13 or 14 hours." ■'.*'. "The bump you felt geing over the bar did not alarm you?"—" No." "Well, why did you take soundings?"—"lt is part of my early training." Replying to Mr. Findlay, the engineer said that in spite of- a suggestion to the contrary he was convinced there was no leak in the ship when she left Whangape.' For the ensuing seventeen hours the weather was such that the vessel was subjected to a continued strain. ■ James Thomas Kyle, foreman, said that when the Karu crossed the bar there was a severe bump followed by two light touches. When witness went on duty at midnight he noticed excessive water in the bilges, and he started the pumps. To Mr. Meredith witness said he heard a remark at Hokianga to the effect that there had been water in the skin of the ship. Mr. Sanders com-. plained that he could not get the hold bilges pumped dry because of trouble with the pump, but witness regarded this as "an ordinary growl over a dirty job." Mr. Mays suggested that Seaman Varjonen had said: "I can't understand where the water is coming from." Witness: "I don't know who made that-remark." A SEAMAN'S EVIDENCE. Thomas Halliday said he left the Karu at Hokianga on the trip north. He had been working in the hold when his attention, was attracted by rusty places on the starboard side. The surface of a plate had been painted with a lar preparation. Witness tested a lusty section with his pocket knife and pierced a small hole near the water level. He could see daylight througi the hole, and with the motion of the ship a small jet of water would come through. Witness said they pointed out the faulty plate to Ravenswood, the seaman who was drowned. He then smeared the hold with cement. Later witness had a dispute concerning payment for working cargo in the bunkers. He made this an excuse to sign off at Hokianga. Even if 'the dispute had been settled to witness's satisfaction he would not have continued the voyage. He had not warned his shipmates as he had already heard them discussing the condition of- the ship, and he thought that a-complaint would result in a refusal from the crew to work the ship. Witness had previously drawn attention to the defect in the ship, and for his trouble he just escaped bein? penalised for inciting a strike. , To Mr. Mays: He had warned Ravenswood, who said he would try to get ashore at Sydney. Mr. Moody: "You considered your o.wn life, but not the safety of the crew." —"I looked after myself, and would not have gone in the ship for £25. They all knew about the ship. I'm not a spokesman or a sea lawyer." Mr. Moody: "Will you tell me the name of the spokesmai on the ship?"— "No, not if you put me in gaol for it. I've been in Sing Sing and in gaol all over the world, and I'm not ashamed to tell it." Mr. Moody: "Are you telling the truth?"—" Yes, I was in Sing Sing for Tiding on a train." Mr. Moody: "The crew knew the condition of the ship?"—" Yes, they were all talking about it, and about how much the union would give them for the loss of their clothes. They wore wondering what the union would pay them. I say that to their faces." THE SHIP'S PLATES. Mr. Findlay to witness: "Did it occur to you you .might have found tho only weak spot in the ship?"—" Yes, but the hole and cement is there, and you can find it on the ship now if you look. It was not good enough for me. I don't want to go to 'Davy Jones's locker'just yet." Mr. Findlay: "If I tell you that a brand new plate was fitted in Sydney ,will you still say you pierced it?" — . "It was not a new plate. Why not ,take me up to the ship -now, and let mo point it out." Mr. Meredith sai.l. that the.engineer's .evidence was to the contrary that any repairs had been done to tho hull. Mr. Findlay: "I can call evidence that this was a brand new plate." - Witness: "I had a 'hunch' the ship Would never finish the voyage." Mr. Findlay: "Voices do talk to you in the night, don't they?"—"l had a .dream that saved my life once." "And members of the crew slept with belaying pins under their heads when you were there?"—" What do you think I am—'nutty?' " Mr. Holmden: "It seems that 'Rafferty rules' prevailed on board." George Alexander Keith, chief officer of the Karu, said there was one light bump on the Whangape bar. Ho described the fitting of the new plate in the portion of the hull which Halliday alleged had yielded to a knife. This was done in dock in Australia. The Court adjourned until next morning.