STEAMER MASTFRS & THEIR DUTIES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 6 March 1909, Page 3

STEAMER MASTFRS & THEIR DUTIES.

STATEMENT*. BY SIX JAMES MILLS. [United Pbess £j? sociaxio ■ DUNEDIN, Friday. In consequence of the wreck of the Penguin_ and the evidenec submitted at the Penguin inquiry into the cir Icumstances 4'urrounihng the same, suggestions have been made that enme shipmasters* are to sacrifice the safety of the ships and passengers to a constantly growing anxiety to make fast passages. ■ Sir JamesvMills, in a conversation with a reporter, denied emphatically the suggestion that masters must adhere rigitlly to a timetable at any risk. He. said when a man is put in charge o£ a ship every confidence is placed in ylilni, and that ho is absolutely untrammelled as regards the navigation or "£ho managoment of the vessel. Every master on his appointment received \ a special letter from the head office of the Company impressing on him tKe necessity for the exercise of the greatest care, skill, and tact in carrying out the responsible duties attaching to, the position of master of the ship, the safety of lives and property mustY be tlie first consideration under alf : circumstances. Whenever (continued Sir Janiei 1 ) a master receives a 'transfer or promotion, a letter coiicled iv similar terms is ieiif him. in which u« is urged to care for the safety of those on board his sfoip. \