CYRENA ENQUIRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1925, Page 4

CYRENA ENQUIRY

THE CAPTAIN’S' EVIDENCE

(Per Press Association.)

AVANGANUI, June 16.

At the nautical enquiry to-day into the wreck of the Cyrena, the Har-. hour Master’s assistant confirmed the. pilot’s statements as to the sound-* ings taken on the bar, saying that the depth at high water, when the Cyrena attempted to cross, was 18 feet seven, inches.

Captain Patterson, of the Cyrena, said his steamer was drawing 16 feet, six inches. After the vessel grounded, one sounding showed 17 feet. ■ The vessel was fast for some distance amidships, and towards the stern, but was afloat towards the bow and stern. Her cargo was trimmed, and the, water ballast adjusted, and the draught at the stern lessened by a foot, in an effort to get over the oh-, struction. At eight o’clock that night the holds were dry, but at 8.30 there was 14 feet of water in the after, hold, and 10 feet in the fore hold. The damage was caused by the Cyrena lifting and bumping heavily. She was drifting broadside on to the North Mole, and taking all the seas she could get. She appeared to be not rigid, and to be very seriously dam-, aged, her structure giving indications of bulging amidships. Using the en-r gine power and the helm, he was able to get her stern to sea before sin; finally settled. He squared hep and put the engines ahead, till she was firmly ashore. He coiild hear plates cracking, so much so, that he was anxious\to get the ship firmly, settled in order to obviate further damage. From the time of the initial, stranding, the Cyrena never left the bottom. In consequence •of all these circumstances, witness concluded that the state of the steamer was hope-, less. An inspection next morning showed a buckling of the plates on the starboard side. Witness did not think the damage could have been sustained on a safe mud bottom.

MOTOR SCOW ABLAZE.

WELLINGTON, June 17.

The motor engine scow Orini, 19 tons-, net, while on a voyage from Wanganui to Wellington on June 5, laden withcase oil and kerosene, was destroyed; by fire outside Port Hardy. The circumstances of the outbreak 'to-day were investigated by a Nautical Court. Evidence was given by the master, that the vessel was obliged to shelter at Port Hardy through bad weather; Shortly after she left for Wellington' the captain discovered a fire and all the crew did their best to extinguish ' the outbreak. They were obliged" to leave the ship when no longer physically possible to remain aboard. Evidence was given by the engineer as to engine trouble experienced since he joined the vessel in May. The Court in.its findig exonerated the captain and crew, whom they stated did their best to extinguish the fire, and were justified in leaving the ship. The Court added that the galley should have been placed at a greater distance from the engine-room. It was of the opinion that vessels of this description were not suitable to carry such inflammable cargo.