THE RIPPLE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 August 1924, Page 5

THE RIPPLE

FURTHER SEARCH BY RURU. MORE WRECKAGE FOUND. INQUEST ON CAPTAIN’S BODY. (by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AVELLINGTON, Aug. 11. The Ruru left for a further search. Judging by the wreckage washed up at Castlepoint, further bodies will probably come ashore there, and a further search is being made, extra, constables having been dispatched to Castlepoint. Two life-belts, marked “Ripple,” were found at Castlepoint, probably indicating that another body will soon come ashore there. A considerable quantity of benzine and barrels of lubricating oil were found on the beach at the mouth of the Karori Stream, between Happy Valley and Terawhiti station. It was thought at first that the oil might have been part of the deck cargo carried by the Ripple, but Captain Petersen states definitely that oil of the description found at the mouth of the Karori Stream was not carried by the Ripple. He presumed that the tins and barrels, forming part of a. deck cargo, were washed overboard from some vessel runinng across the Strait. MASTERTGN, Aug. 11. The body of Captain Norling was brought to Masterton this morning, when the coronial inquest was opened. 4 ’ Edward Benson, fireman, AVellington, identified the body and deposed to having seen the deceased last alive on the deck of the Ripple at Wellington wharves on AVednesday. Witness received his discharge the day previous and bade the captain good-day on leaving the. boat after lunch on AVednesday. Deceased was'then in good health. Constable Berthleson stated that while patrolling the beach on Sunday, at 2.15 p.m., he discovered the body one and three-quarter miles south of Castlepoint. The body, which was clothed only in trousers, underpants, shoes and socks, was found face upwards on the rocks, witli bruises on the legs, arms, shoulders and head. . The inquest was then adjourned sine die.

Excepting lifebuoys at Castlepoint, a thorough search to-day-failed to locate further trace of the missing vessel or crew. AYIRELESS FOR COASTAL VESSELS. CHEAP SYSTEM SUGGESTED. AVELLINGTON, August 9. The loss of the Ripple has raised the question of installing wireless on coastal vessels.- Mr Shrimpton, chief telegraph engineer, said (the.usual objection was on the score of expense, as the apparatus would so seldom bq (required. It was suggested that a modified system might be used, such as the ship’s officers could work; but he replied that unless taught while young men could never pick up telegraphy >roperly. A set might he installed for £IOO or less ■on which certain prearranged signals could be sent in which the officers could be coached. He was of the opinion that if the difficulty of obtaining men who could send clearly could be surmounted-Tt would nay the owners to put in wireless.