LOSS OF STEAMER
TOPWEIGHT LOAD CENSURED BY COURT OWNERS AND ADMIRALTY LONDON. April :2. At the conclusion of the inquiry by the Ministry of Transport into the’ loss of the steamer Assuan, which capsized and sank on October 17. 1943. two hours out from Sunderland with the loss of eight lives, the court expressed the opinion that the loss was due to the addition of topweight in the form of protective works, armament and the failure of the owners (Gorsonia Freighters Limited, of Newcastle) and the manager. W. G. Gordon, to investigate genuinely the effect thar such additions were bound to have on the ship’s stability and loading capacity. For this failure, the owners and Gordon deserved some censure as well as the Admiralty which was responsible for making the alterations.
Tlie court added that the ship's master. James Scott Jackson, who was drowned, was responsible for “taking a chance” in varying the usual loading method.
The court expressed the opinion that stability tests should be made compulsory for all vessels before leaving the builders’ yards and further inclining tests if substantial alterations were made. It also should be compulsory for all existing ships to be inclined now and in the future if alterations were made.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21997, 15 April 1946, Page 3
Word Count
206LOSS OF STEAMER Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21997, 15 April 1946, Page 3
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