BRAWL ON SHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24832, 2 March 1944, Page 7

BRAWL ON SHIP

OFFENCES AT SEA

TWO MEN SENT TO GAOL "Those charges arise out of disgraceful incidents when an overseas ship was nearing New Zealand on a voyage from Canada," said Mr. Hamer, when outlining in the Police Court yesterday series of charges against two Canadians. Mr. Hamer conducted the prosecution 011 behalf of the ship's agents.

The accused were Raymond Henry Collette, oiler, aged 29, and Joseph Gilbert,,, trimmer, aged 24. They were jointly charged that, on February 25, while on the high seas, they combined to impede the progress of a voyage by assaulting William Patterson and Arthur Pugh, two engineers. Collette was also charged with assaulting Pugh. and Gilbert with assaulting Patterson, and each man was charged with wilfully disobeying the lawful command of James Thomson, the chief engineer. There was a further charge against Gilbert of wilfully damaging his ship by breaking a steam gauge with a shovel. Both accused pleaded not guilty. On the evening of the alleged offences, said Mr. Hamer, both men were on duty below. A few hours before, the captain had received certain instructions, and as the ship was in dangerous waters full steam pressure had to be maintained. At 6 p.m. the second engineer noticed the pressure dropping seriously and when he went below he found the fires low and Collette missing from the engineroom. In the stokehold Collette and Gilbert, with three stokers, were sitting round drinking some "devil's brew" they had concocted.

Both the second and chief engineers ordered them back to work, Mr. Hamer continued, but they refused. Collette

and Gilbert then started a brawl .with each other while the chief engineer went to get the captain. Both men were lying across the controls, linpeding their use. The second and third engineers tried to break up the brawl and get the men back to work, but were repeatedly struck. Steani was lost, thus robbing the engines of needed power in dangerous waters. "I had been ill for some time. Collette told the Court, "and I sampled the liquor, believing it would help me go through with my work. It was bad liquor and poisoned me. 1 have no recollection of what happened, and 1 regret causing so much trouble." (Gilbert said he felt that ho wanted a drink, but apparently took too much. He had made a mistake and asked tlie Court's clemency. "I do not think the two men can lio said to have got their heads together and combined deliberately to impede the ship," said Air. J. Morling, S.M. "Therefore, the first joint charge will be dismissed." As far as the assault and disobedience charges were concerned, while it was probably true thatthey had drunk too much bad liquor, this was no excuse for such outrageous, conduct. They had been drinking ins the stokehold when they should Tiavq been attending the ship, and this was» a very serious matter.

Because both appeared contrite, saidi the magistrate, lie would not imposts the very heavy penalty provided for* under tlie Act. Each man was sentenced, to one month's imprisonment, and Gilbert was ordered to make restitution oP the price of-the steam gauge. An order was made for Collette to be placed on board his ship before it sailed, and foiGilbert to be placed on the first other* ship available.

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