SURVEY OF THE WM. TAPSCOTT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 120, 2 August 1873, Page 13

SURVEY OF THE WM. TAPSCOTT.

The following is the report of the marine surveyors who have been engaged during the last three days in holding a survey on the ship William Tapscott : Wellington, New Zealand, July 30th, 1873. Sir, We, the undersigned, were requested by you on the 28th July instant to go on board the American ship William Tapscott, of and belonging to New YorE, J. C. Flinn, master, and make survey and inspection of said ship and all her appurtenances. We accordingly did so on the same day, and at 10.30 a.m. got on board and proceeded to make as careful an investigation as was possible under the circumstances in two long visits. But before going any further in our report, we wish to protest against the manner in which we were treated by the officer in charge, the carpenter, and the crew generally, as, though they did not actually oppose our going over the ship, they threw obstacles in our way so far as not giving any assistance or facilities for doing so. We found the ship generally in perfectly good order, and we consider her a perfectly seaworthy ship, good and strong, well fitted and provided for in every way, and we conscientiously can say that it was a sin and a shame that the ship should have been compelled to deviate from her voyage, as we think she was perfectly able to proceed on her voyage round Cape Horn and to Queenstown, without risk, under the will of Providence. But, as by the piracy or barratry of the crew, she was taken into this port, we think it our duty to recommend that the pumps and pump gear, as well as the donkey engine, should lie put in perfect order by competent men. Also, we found that one of the lower deck beams was slightly broken and one or two slightly sprung, and a leak on the starboard side abaft the main rigging. , We would ivish the leak examined and stopped ; this being done, we give our unanimous opinion that the ship is perfects- s'"--foi l by and competent to proceed om lur voyage. At the same time, ~we would mention that some of the stanchions had partially given way, and the side ports require caulking, with perhaps one or two other little defects Avhich require looking into ; but none of these are such as to endanger the ship, or make her unseaworthy. She appears to be Avell supplied Avith sails, ropes, rigging, and gear generally, but one foretopgallant sail was bloAA'n aAA r ay, which will require replacing. The bends, top sides, and butts, were Avell tried Avith caulking irons, and were hard and firm, also the Avood ends. By careful attention we found the ship making rather less than two inches of Avater per hour, Avhich could in no case be considered serious ; and Avith the good engine that is on board, Avhich is attached to the pumps, Avould be most insignificant, as said engine would throAV out more than tivo feet per hour instead of two inches. The upper main deck may appear slightly depressed at first sight, but this appears to us only due to the build of the ship. We have again to-day made a long visit to the ship of several hours’ duration, and made a very careful examination, and have every reason to confirm our opinion as to the seaivorthiness of the ship. S. K. Small, Master barque Horatio Sprague. Thos. Bishop, Master British ship Halcione. John Peacock, Master British ship William Davie. Edmund Dunlop, Carpenter ship Wm. Davie. James M ‘Kissock, Carpenter ship Halcione. To D. M £ In tyre, Esq., United States Consul.