COASTAL SHIPPED RISKS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1906, Page 2

COASTAL SHIPPED RISKS.

SOMETHING ABOUT SCOWS. BETTER INSPECTION REQUIRED. A type of sailing craft which lias increased largely in numbers during the past few years is what is termed the scow, a Hat-bottomed boat of the centreboard type, which is supplanting the schooner in the coastal timber trade, and occasionally even makes a trip across the Tasman Sea. The scow lias several advantages over the schooner from the owner's point of view, the foremost of which are an all-round saving in cost of construction, decreased cost of working, and increased carrying capacity. On various occasions doubt has been expressed as to whether this class of vessel, at least its lowest grade, should not be confined to restricted limits. Point was given to this by a rider of the Marino Court which made enquiry into the capsizing of the scow Oban at Wellington on the 31st December last. The Court oxpressed the opinion that there was not sufficient supervision over this class of vessel as to loading and freeboard. To the superficial observer there seems to bo j little doubt that there is need for a strict , supervision of the loading of some of tho j scows which arrive here laden with timber. Oftentimes the vessels are loaded with a dock' cargo several feet in height, the d«fik belmj awanh, and the waves prevent H iw\ ShtHSRg W G&Bg mi\&&

An old sea captain, who has had experience of practically every class of vessel, afloat, gave it as his opinion to a Wellington Post representative, that the smaller class of scow should not be allowed to trade in anything but harbour and bay work. For instance, they were all right in a place like Auckland, with its large harbour and numerous bays, where shelter could be obtained almost at a moment's notice, but they were not fit for working a place like Cook's Strait. Tho mariner remarked that it would bo almost impossible for a loaded scow to be capsized by the actual force of tho wind, but the danger came when the vessel got in a heavy seaway. Another source of danger was the huge unwieldy rudder which it was essential scows should carry. If anything went wrong with the rudder in a seaway, the scow's hours would probably be numbered. The living quarters on each vessel are of course raised several feet above tht level of the cargo deck. Tho bettor class of scow, however, is built very much on the plan,, of the schooner above tho water line, the only difference being that the bottom is flat. With this class there appears to bo no room for complaint. A comparative statement of the mishaps to schooners and scows during the past couple of years shows the two classes of vessels to be practically on the same footing. Duriiig that period three scows have been totally lost and two schooners, whilst eleven scows and eleven schooners have met with damage —stranding,' loss of masts, etc. A correspondent, "Old Coaster," writing to a southern paper in the above connection, says :—"There can be no doubt that the small craft in New Zealand require a little more looking after. The foolish, careless and headstrong require to lie protected against themselves,- or, rather, the lives of the crews under their command require to be protected. These vessels are subject to no annual survey or inspection. There is no authority to see that sufficient ballast is carried, or that shifting boards are used. And in some vessels there are, or at least there have been, no spare sails. Though most of (he masters hold Home-trade certificates, yet the navigation practised is of the most crude and haphazard quality—merely of running by "rule of thumb" till some land is sighted. The compasses are, generally of a most inferior type, and are frequently placed either in the cabin or in some position which renders it difficult or impossible to take bearings. Hand lines and leads may be there, but it is doubtful if

;i (loop-sea load could lie found in any small craft. The side-lights and anchorlights are in a ureal number of eases cheap, inferior and ineffective. They might, on a clear night, show "the regula-

tion mile," but on a dirty night at sea afford little protection. Fog-horns may he there, but very few seamen have ever heard them blow" If investigation is made, the above general statements will be verified. Yet the law is complied with, and in cases where the law is not complied with there is not sufficient supervision to discover the laxity."