FOUNDERED COLLIER IMPROPERLY LOADED

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6852, 6 March 1929, Page 7

FOUNDERED COLLIER IMPROPERLY LOADED

FATE OF ANNIE MILLER. ,

United Press Association —By Electria Telegraph —Copyright. Received Tuesday, 11 p.m. SYDNEY, March 5. An inquiry has opened into the loss of the collier Annie Miller. Counsel for the superintendent of Navigation, declared the vessel was overloaded and had a list to port and that her hatches were not properlycovered.

John Tracey, second engineer, gave evidence that neither himself nor thß chief engineer was satisfied with the condition of the vessel when she left Bulli. Witness asked the captain whether the hatches were to be covered by tarpauins and when he learned they were not, ho replied: "Had I known that, this ship would never have left the jetty." The ship had a definite list and was rolling lazily when approaching {Sydney heads. The captain became alarmed and ordered full speed ahead, but the vessel turned over on top of them off Bondi.

Witness saw the captain swept off the bridge. The crew floundered in the water and some disappeared near the propellor. The majority had lifebelts. Other evidence was of a similar character. The Court found the vessel sank owing to overloading, improper loading and the absence of tarpaulins over the hatches.

SAW SHIP TWO MILES AWAY. KANOWNA INQUIRY. Received Tuesday, 11 p.m. MELBOURNE, March 5. Further evidence was given to-day by passengers of tbe wrecked Kanowna who each declared that visibility was good and that there was no fog when the vessel ran on the reef. One man said he saw a ship two miles away just before the Kanowna struck. The hearing was adjourned.