THE MISSING DUCO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 8

THE MISSING DUCO.

MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY

INTERESTING EVIDENCE.

(Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, November 19.

Tho magisterial inquiry into tho reported loss of the steamer Duco was opened to-day beforo Dr M'Arthur, S.M., with Captain W. .7. Gray and Mr James M'Lean as assessors. Sir C. S. Ninon (Collector of Customs) represented the Marine Department, Mr Dalziell appeared 1 o:i behalf of the Wellington Steam Ferry Company (the owners of tho Duco), Mr T. Young on behalf of the three engineers (Messrs Waddilovc, Menard, and .Walters), Mr Gray for Captain Abrams, and Mr Menteath for the Royal Exchange and other underwriters.

Captain Stringer (Assistant Superintendent of Mercantile Marino and Surveyor of Ships) stated that he had surveyed tho Duco Boveral times. The annual surveytook place in July. The Duco was then inspected for life-saving appliances. She had too lifeboats on her first trip and three lifeboats on her last trip. Tho three boats were capable 'af carrying 30 people.. They were properly provisioned with a supply of water, and were in good order.

To Mr Dalziell; There were really more than the regulation appliances. He took every care, as she was going beyond the (shows of New Zealand.

Do you know how much coal she was 'carrying?—No; only what other people told mo.

You saw her last on the 7th September?—l did,

Dxl you consider she was loading too much coal?—I considered a small vessel should have the decks clear all round, and I stopped them.

What was tho tonnage on the deck?— I estimated at that timo between threo and four tons.

You think t-h-ey might have continued to put coal on deck with safety?—lf I had been master I should jiot have ken afraid with that quantity. Tito witness said lie was unaware that any more coal was taken on deck.

Mr Young: If one of those tacks elipped it would' easily bar' a port?—ln such a eea the bags would probably be knocked lo pieces,

The Duco had no Plimsoll mark to show her loading. The witness considered the Duco wa.i safely loa,decl if no more cargo were put in after he 'oft, To iMr Menteath: She signed on articles the day before at the Customs, but she left them behind her. This was irregular. Siic ought to have taken her articles with her.

Aow, bearing in mind the size of the Duco and the enginos lihe • carried, ai couple of tons bf timber, an iron tank, three or four tone of coal on. deck, no load line, no Plimsoll mark, do you consider Hint that boat was in a fit conation to sail to the Chatham Islands? —bus Was in a good condition. I would laky her all round tlw world without Hesitation under those conditions. Are you aware that she took in 60 lons ol coal from a hulk in the harbour? —Wo.

She had a 100 gallon tank on her after, deck and a largo quantity of timber for making boxi*?-Not a largo quantity. lsho had three or four tons of coal on deck?— Yes.

You did not inspect her a,s she left the wharf?-! inspected her just beforo 12 o'clock.

Alfred Calvert, surveyor and inspector of machinery, gave evidence as to surveying the hold and machinery of the Uuco. Ho thought she might carry 60 ton.) of coal. Somo might go into tho refrigerating chamber. The Duco was almost as good as new, though she was 17 or 18 years old. Captain George Gordon Smith, superintendent of mercantile marine, said he saw tho Duco .going down tho harbour about 10 past 2 on the 7th. She seemed to be in. good trim.

>Edward G. F. Zohvab (secretary of the Wellington Harbour Ferry Co., owners of the Duco) said the boat was insured with tho Canton Insurance Co, for £500, Australian Company for £250. New Zenland Insurance for £500, Royal Exchange for £500,' United Insurance for £250, and Commercial Union for £500.

To Mr Dalziel! : The company had" written down all its steamers, Mr Young: Was there any uneasiness Oil tho part of tho men about sailing with liorT-nN-one thßt I know, Mr Menad said His wife did not like him going so far away from homo.

Did ho not say also that he did net likn the ship?— No. There was some difficulty about cottinc engineers Was that because thev did not like tlio ship?—l am not aware. ' . To Mr Menteath; The value of the Duco 111 the company's hooks was £6300. Mr Young: I submit that we audit to have soma of the crew hero who" were with the Duco on her previous trip. Wo want to know something about tbe behaviour of the ship at sea. The President: I think it is only a reasonable request. i 11 at tins boa went to sea without comymg.will, the usual custom of clearing c a U les from {hD Custoniß] 6 lUeJf ca Is for some more evidence on the actual state of the boat when she left Mr Aixon said the Customs Department nart heard no complaints about the be ).av 1 ouroftheD r^„tf,eprevLu , r ip b ' It was (leaded that the inquirvsli be adjourned until 2.15 p.m. on* Mondiv further eviLce mSbc