MARINE INQUIRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6313, 13 September 1907, Page 6

MARINE INQUIRY

LOSS OF THE TE AROIIA PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, September 12. A Nautical Court was occupied to-day with the inquiry into the loss of the steamer To Aroha, which foundered off Point Rodney on 31st March on the voyage from Auckland to Waikato. Edward iialiet, owner of the vessel, wan charged with sending the vessel to sea in an fanseaworthy condition, and Thomas Mincham, mas tea', was charged >vith having taken the vessel to sea 4* an unseaworrhy condition. Mr Mays, solicitor for the Marins Department, said it was only fair to state that ilalistt, who knew nothing about ships and their requirements, gave an absolutely free hand in the matter of repairs, giving the surveyor of the ship full liberty and offering to foot th© bill. Mr Wetherilt recommended certain repairs and alterations, and these were placed in the hands, of tiie Dovonpurt Ferry Company, from which the steamer was purchased. New caulking, planking, and general equipment wore carried out, and when the vessel entered the water she leaked considerably. But this gradually ceased, and tho water was got down. She had not got far before she commenced to strain and take in water, and was finally abandoned and foundered. If the evidence disclosed that others beside the owner and master wore liable, it would bo for the Court to express such opinion as might result in bringing the right persons to book. George Tee, marine engineer, who had charge of tho Te Aroha's engine-room, said that steam began to go down and tho engines pietty well stopped when she was only about one horn* out of Auckland. He put that down rather to the coaling than anything else. As far as he could see,' there was nothing much wrong with the machinery, except a broken steam gauge. ,When he left the engine-room there were not two inches more water on the floor than when he went down. She was then hugging a a close to the shore as she /could without striking. About halfpast one he woke up in his berth and found the water splashing about in it* Mr Mays: And did you begin to look round?—Oh, no. It was too late for looking round. I began to pack up my things to leave. Mr Mays: Did you think she was seaworthy when you shipped on her?— Well, I didn't make a thorough inspection of her, but I certainly wouldn't have gone to sea in her if Captain -Nicholson had not asked me to go. I knew nothing about what repairs were done. We tried tho ejector in tho harbour, but as it wouldn't work we didn't bother about it.

Do you consider the lives of the crew were at risk?—l told the captain that ho would be lucky to get to Whargarei. Yes, I do consider that the lives of the men were at risk after we passed Rodney. Mr Moore, for the defence, said * defemdantp had taken all reasonable means to ensure the vessel being sent to sea in a seaworthy condition. The owner, Mr Hallet. was not a seaman, but had had the Te Aroha surveyed by a Government surveyor, who was quit© satisfied tho master did not "’knowingly" take the vessel to sea in an unseaworthy condition. That was their contention. Thomas Henrv Wetherilt, inspector of machinery, said he had ordered several repairs which included repairs to copper and boiler, and everything had been do««. The master. Thomas Min ch am. said ho held a foreign going master's certificate. Whs'll ho took the vessel to "■'a he thought she Tear? seaworthy, hut had since chanced his opinion.. Ho thought the leak was caused by tho Reas lifting the paddle boxes and opening the covering boards. After considering tho evidence the bench dismissed the case.