RIPPLE WRECK

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 September 1924, Page 5

RIPPLE WRECK

EVIDENCE AT ENQUIRY.

SHIP’S CONDITION GOOD.

(Per Press Association).

WELLINGTON, September 10.

A Magisterial enquiry into the loss of the steamer Ripple is being held, Mr. Riddell, S.M., presiding with Captains F. W. Baron and W. Moir as assessors.

Mr. Prenderville, opening for the Marine Department, said that some rather hysterical statements had been made, and suggestions put forward. It was not the function of the present Court to go into such matters. No doubt the Department would take such measures as it thought fit to have a full inquiry as to the avoidance of similar disasters.

Mr. O’Regan for several widows of the men lost, said that he did not think it wise to issue prohibitions as to the evidehce in the enquiry which was really in the nature of a coroner’s inquest. It: was desirable to ascertain all facts. Mr. Riddell said that there were no doubt other matters, but until there was a proper order of reference it was doubtful whether the present court should, go into the other matters. The court of enquiry was bound by the Shipping and Seamen’s Act; Evidence was then called.

William Henery, Inspector of Machinery, Marine Department, stated that he made the last survey of the Ripple in September, 1923, from the 6th to 25th day. The whole of the ship was in good seaworthy condition; only two minor repairs were necessary. The hull was thoroughly examined. A new shoe in the stern was required. The boilers were in fair condition. A patch had to be put on the vessel. The engine and boilers were built in 1902. The machinery would be examined every year by the Department. Harold Fletcher. Tomlinson, surveyoi’ of ships, Marine Department, who made a survey of the Ripple with the previous witness, said that the ship was in very good order. This applied to the boats and the life-saving apparatus. Provisions were renewed in the boats, and compasses were adjusted. Seventeen new hatches were made and boat drill was taken.

Tomlinson continued that an exhaustive examination had been made of the vessel since September, 1923. He examined her on August 6. On the afternoon she left on the last voyage, the starboard side of the decks, fore and aft, was blocked with deck cargo. He did not notice whether the vessel had a list. So far as he knew she was n full ship in the holds. It was quite possible that with the starboard side blocked with deck cargo, and the portside fairly clear, she would, have a fairly decent, list. He did not know whether the Ripple had ballast tanks to put her on a fairly even keel. He did not inspect any sails oil the ship, as she was a full-powered steamship. He did not see a sea anchor on the ship. In the event of a breakdown in machinery, on a steamer without sail or sea anchor, she would probaly fall into a trough of sea, be helpless and roll heavily. In reply to a question whether a heavy sea would be liable to stove in the hatches of the ship in that position, witness said that it was quite possible. The Ripple carried two boats, a lifeboat and surfboat.- The last was a heavy boat. She had, an oil engine. He thought it was possible, with a crew like the Ripple had, to put a surf boat into the water by hand.

To Mr Stevenson: Witness said that the deck cargo of the Ripple was tons by measurement. He could not say what it was by weight. It would be about 9J.or 10 tons. All the crew were expert at handling boats. If the seas had smashed in the hatches, he would expect the cargo to come ashore. He would have' noticed a decided list had there been one. (Proceeding.)