VAVAU HARBOR TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 19773, 25 January 1928, Page 9

VAVAU HARBOR TRAGEDY

SINKING OF CLAN MACWILUAM HEROIC MASTER AHD GREW [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND,. January 24. An inquiry into the sinking of the Chiu MacWilliain in Vavau Harbor, Tonga, on Christmas morning was held at the British Residency, Nukualofa, on January J, The steamer caught fire while loading copra, and, after the officers and crow had heroically fought the flames for many hours, sank, the captain and chief engineer being drowned. The court delivered its finding on January 0. It was unable to determine the origin of the fire, but found that the copra, .appeared to have been properly stowed, and the bold adequately ventilated. It also held that every possible step was taken to save the ship, and that the conduct of the master, officers, and crew was exemplary, no blame being attachable to anyone. Regarding the captain, Mr William Thompson, and the chief engineer, Mr Disliingtou, the court stated:— Throughout the fire these two officers directed operations in a calm and collected manner, and the court, in'placing on record its high opinion of their conduct, extends its sympathy to the relatives of the deceased. Iho above report shows that the earlier published account chained from the officers of the Niagara, who had intercepted wireless messages on the subject, was incorrect in some important particulars, especially in statements that the vessel was alongside the wharf, that the port authorities ordered her into the stream, and that the white officers and the Lascar crew refused to man her, declaring that she was unsafe.