Wreck of the Ripple

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 234, 10 September 1924, Page 6

Wreck of the Ripple

MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY. MACHINERY INSPECTOR’S EVIDENCE. (Special to “Tribune.”) Wellington, Sept. 10. The magisterial inquiry into the loss of the steamer Ripple is being held to-day. Air Riddell S.M., is pre siding with Captains F. W. Baron and W. Muir as assessors. Mr Prendeville, opening for the Marine Department, said that some rather hysterical statements had been made and suggestions put forward, but it was not the function of the present Qourt to go into such matters. No doubt the Department would take such measures as it thought fit to have a full inquiry as to avoidance of similar disasters. Mr O’Regan, for several widows of the men lost, said that he did not think it wise to issue a prohibition as to evidence in the inquiry, which was really in the nature of a Coroner’s in_ quest. It was desirable to ascertain all the facts.

Mr Riddell said that there were no doubt other matters, but until there was a proper order of reference it v as doubtful whether the present court f hould go into the other matters. A court of inquiry was wound by the Shipping and Seamen’s Act. Evidence was then called. William Henry, inspector of machinery for the Marine Department, stated that he made the last survey of the Ripple’s in September, 1923, from the 6th to the 25th day. The whole of the ship was in good seaworty condition. Only two minor repairs were necessary. The hull was thoroughly examined and a new shoe in the stem was required. The boilers were in fair condition. A patch, had to no put on one of the combination chambers. All the repairs required Were carried out satisfactorily. The steering gear was in good order. In reply to Mr W. T. Young, for the Seamen’s Union, witness said that he did not know whether any survey had been made in the ten months which elapsed since his own survey and the loss of the vessel. The engine and boilers were built in 1902. The machinery would be examined every year by the Department.

SHIP SURVEYOR’S EVIDENCE. Harold Fletcher Tomlinson, surveyor of ships lor the Marine Department, who made a survey of tne Kippie with the last witness, said that th ship was in very good order. This applied to the boats and life-saving apparatus. The provisions were renewed in the boats and the compasses were adjusted. Seventeen new hatches were made. Boat drill was taken. No exhaustive examination had been made of the vessel since September. 1923. He examined her on August 6, on the afternoon she left on her last voyage. To Mr. Young: The starboard side of the decks fore and aft was blocked with deck cargo. He did not notice whether the vessel had a list. So fair as he knew she was a full ship in the holds. It was quite possible that with the starboard side blocked with deck cargo and the port side fairly clear she would have a fairly decent list. He did not know whether the Ripple had ballast tanks to put her on a fairly even keel. He did not inspect any sails on the ship as she was a fullpowered steamship. did not see the sea anchor on the ship. In the event of the breakdown in the machinery, in a steamer without sail

o. sea anchor she would probably fall into a trough of the sea and be helpless and roll heavily. In reply to a question as to whether heavy seas would be liable to stove in the hatches of the ship in that position witness said “Quite possibly.” The Ripple carried two boats—a lifeboat and a surfboat. The last was a heavy boat. She had an oil engine. He thought it was possible, with a crew like the Ripple had, to put the surf boat into the water by hand. To Mr. Stevenson, witness said that the deck caa-go of the Rinple was 13J tons by measurement. He could not say what it was by weight. It would be about 9£ or 10 tons. All the crew were expert at handling the boats. If seas had smashed in the hatches he would expect the cargo to come ashore. He would have noticed a decided list had there been one.

CARGO STOWED EVENLY. Henry Charles Guthrie. foreman stevedore for Richardson and Coy., said that the Ripple had a lull cargo, which was stowed evenly. There was about 13 tons of deck cargo. The vessel had no list. She was upright when she left. He remarked to the captain that he was likelv to get a bit of a “southerly dusting” that night. The captain said that with the good stowage of the vessel and her excellent trim he would go anywhere in her. Th© trim could not have been better. “Personally,” said witness. “I would go to sea on that occasion without hesitation.” “MAKING GOOD WEATHER.” Frank Edward Puddick, signalman, said that the Ripple went out of the heads quite dry. George Roberts, assistant at Pencarrow lighthouse, said that considering the solid sea the Ripple was making good weather of it. She was throwing the propeller out of the water now and again. It was not an exceptionally heavy sea. He could not say that he diad seen small vessels go out in worse weather. He had seen them com© in. but that was Hobson’s choice. Captain Irwin, of the ferry steamer Maori, said that he would have had no hesitation in taking out the Ripple under the circumstances. A master had an absolute right to use his own judgment as to whether or not be puts to sea.