INSPECTION OF SHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9098, 5 July 1888, Page 3

INSPECTION OF SHIPS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—A strong feeling of dissatisfaction has existed for years in shipping circles, owing to the practice of appointing retired shipmasters to survey vessels requiring repairs, and to specify the nature of tin work necessary to make the vessel seaworthy, and to see the work carried out in an efficient manner, and then grant a certificate of seaworthiness. It must be evident to the most superficial observer that a man who has spent most of his life at sea, and whose chief study has been to drive hi? ship along, is going beyond his depth when he presumes to direct a shipbuilder who has spent a lifetime in the construction and repairs of vessels, and in consequence thousands of pounds are annually wasted, and hundreds of valuable lives jeopardised by such an unbusiness-like practice. Let us for a moment consider how a landsman would act in parallel circumstances. If a. warehouse exhibits signs of weakness the owner of the building does not consult the man who runs the shop, but a competent architect. If a'bus breaks down the owner goes to a. carriage-builder for advice, and not to the driver. It is time we follower the practices adopted in the Royal J>» v y» and consult those men whose profession ib is to build and repair ships, and who would be very jealous of their professwnai reputation -I am, &c., SHIPOWNER.