THE RIPPLE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 September 1924, Page 5

THE RIPPLE

INQUIRY CONTINUED,

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. |The magisterial inquiry into the loss of the Ripple was continued to-day. Hoi ace Baldwin, ship’s surveyor, said the Ripple’s boiler was 23 years old. There was a defect in her furnaces in December, 1923, which was remedied.

Edmond Benson, fireman, who left the steamer a day before she sailed, said he could find no-fault with her and did not wish to sail in a better boat. He had never, in a period of nine years on and off the Ripple, known any trouble with the engines and boilers except a leak in the combustion chamber.

James Henderson, ship’s officer, formerly on the Ripftle, said she was a splendid sea excellently found. He had about'seven years’ service on her and there had never been a breakdown. She carried sails, but they were not often used. If on the day she sailed the cargo was in proper trim and loaded within 18 inches of the load line she would be light, but in good trim.

Captain Perter Petersen, Wellington representative of the owners of the Ripple, said she was a full ship on the day she sailed. He detailed the enquiries made about the Ripple after receiving a message that she was in distress. After consulting the U.S.S. Company’s officials, it was decided that the only thing that could be done was to divert the Mararoa. He then telephoned the manager of his company at Napier asking him to arrange for assistance from there, and was advised that the Trawling Company’s Futurist, then in Wellington, was available to do anything -she could. Witness detailed the measures taken to equip the Futurist with towing material. The Union Company suggested sending out the Kaitoke, but lier search proved in vain. The Futurist also failed to see her. Witness detailed the efforts made to communicate with all vessels in the vicinity. Captain Petersen declared that lie did all he could, and his company had done the same. No vessel in Wellington harbour could have reached Cape Palliser sooner than the Mararoa from where the wireless message reached her. There was nothing in his conversation with Captain Norling or the chief officer about going to sea. Frederick C. Howell, assistant secretary to the Seamen’s Union, called by Mr Young, stated that he was alongside the Ripple on August 6 between 1 and 2.15 o’clock and he noticed that the vessel had a list of from 8 to 10 degrees. Later the list appeared to be more pronounced. Some person who was present at the time drew his attention to the list, but he did not take much notice of it. He said to the J person in question that when the re : mainder of the cargo had been loaded the vessel would adjust itself. Under cross-examination witness stated that he did not consider .there was any danger or he would have warned the crew. This concluded the evidence.

Mr. Young expressed liis desire to address the court, but the bench stated that they had heard all the evidence that was available and they did not wish to hear addresses on tiie matter. The inquiry was adjourned for the decision of the bench, which will be delivered on Saturday.