THE PRELIMINARY INQUIRY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 11

THE PRELIMINARY INQUIRY

With the abating of Friday's southerly storm, little was left of the wrecked steamer Progress to be seen by the large numbers of sightseers who visited Ohiro Bay on Saturday and yesterday, the- forecastle being about the only part of the ship visible. A considerable amount of wreckage was strewn along the beach, and a gang of men was employed on Saturday in salvaging anj'thing of value in readiness for an auction sale. ■ Although much of the cargo was completely destroyed, some of it was saved in a more or. less damaged condition. Sacks of flour and pollard have come ashore in fair condition, and there is also much driftwood from the cabins and other fittings. Although .-most of the cargo that had come ashore from the ill-fated vessel had been removed, the beach was still thickly strewn with splintered timber, and other wreckage. The City Council Traffic .Department apparently anticipated the largo crowd and made arrangements for the handling of the motor-car traffic. Representatives of the Traffic Department wore also quickly on duty on Friday, and one of their number, Traffic Inspector Pctherick, earned special commendation for his valuable assistance" in the rescue work. The preliminary inquiry conducted by Captain Wilcox, of the Marine Department, was opened on Saturday and willv probably bo continued during the next two-, days, the collecting of the ovideneo occupying a. fair amount of time. The nature of the disaster was such that a, magisterial inquiry will be necessary, but the date of its opening will not bo announced until after the preliminary inquiry has concluded. Several of the local shipping offices flew their flags at half-mast to-day as a mark of respect to the sailors who lost their lives in the tragedy. .