TAHITI DISASTER

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 13 September 1930, Page 5

TAHITI DISASTER

INQUIRY CONCLUDES

COURT TO REVIEW EVIDENCE

■CREW'S DEVOTION TO DUTY

vßy Telegraph —Press Association.) WETJjTNiGTON, iSopt, 12. The inquiry into the sinking of the Union Company’s Tahiti last- month was concluded by the Marine Court to-day. The court, iwhich consisted of Mr E. Page, S.M., and three assessors, would! take time to consider the evidence, Air Page announced, and would give its decision probably next week. Air I). A. G-i'bb, fifth engineer, said that between 4 a.m. and 4.20 a.m. he was in the tunnel. Everything was ail right then. Ho detailed turning the power 'off and the stopping of the engines. He saw the water coming through the door as the second engineer came out of the tunnel. It was about a minute between the time the engines raced and the time the door was shut. He took a quick glance and 1 saw the water coming from the bottom and sides of. the door. The watertight dour seemed to close perfectly and worked quickly.

Other evidence of a technical nature was given by members of the engineroom and stokehold staffs. All agreed that the noise was terrific and the eugines then raced. Mr Robert. Gillies, assistant superintending engineer of the Union Company produced survey records showing that the vessel was classed A 1 in 1928. The starboard tail shaft was replaced in 192‘8 (and the stern shaft in 1929. The vessel was due for a complete survey in October, 1930. Mr John Poster, marine superintendent of tho Union Company, gave details of the vessel’s insurance. Despite the age, 2d years, the Tahiti’s plates still wero in advance of Lloyd’s requirements. Mr Kirkcaldie, for the master and deck officers, said the inquiry was unique through the complete absence of any suggestion of dereliction of duty. This ho thought the court should! place on record, together with the fact that all members of the crew worthily upheld the traditions of the service.

Mr White, on behalf of the Union Company, supported Mr Kirkcaldie’s remarks. * He said! thanks should be accorded the master, officers and crew of the Penybryn. The assistance of the Ventura already had been recognised.