SHIPPING PRECAUTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 5

SHIPPING PRECAUTIONS

USE OF SOUNDING MACHINES. NEED STRONGLY STRESSED. The need for taking soundings when vessels are nearing the land wae strongly stressed by a gentleman of marine experience in the course of an interview with a “Times” reporter. He instanced the Wiltshire wreck on the Great Barrier, and stated that the Wiltshire took souhdings which were thought incorrect. There seemed to be a doubt as to their accuracy, and inquiry showed that had the soundings been acted upon the ship might not have been wrecked. The wreck of the Wairarapa was another instance of the necessity for taking soundings in thick weather. Had this heen done, there was little doubt she would not have gone ashore. The case of another terrible disaster was that of the Elingamite, tho passengers and crew of which went through such awful suffering, some boats and rafts never being traced. This Bhip, had soundings heen taken, would have known her position, and thus avoided running on the Three' Kings rock. “Is it not time,’’ he asks, “that the New Zealand Government stepped in and insisted upon every intercolonial steamer sailing out of New Zealand ports being fitted with the sounding machine? If it is necessary for Home ships to carry and use this great navigating safeguard, why not those steamers trading on the New Zealand coasts ?”