LIVES LOST AT SEA

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 21

LIVES LOST AT SEA

TRAGEDY OF THE UPTURNED LIFEBOAT. A NEW ZEALANDER’S PATENT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, September 26. In 1919 Captain F. F. Lowndes gave a demonstration in Auckland and Wellington harbours of the use of his patent keel rail for lifeboats. At that time the New Zealand Board of Trade gave its approval of the device, but the work of obtaining the approval of the British and American Boards of Trade and of interesting the shipping companies has required patience and perseveranoe. The offer of this device to the shipping companies, of course, is primarily a business venture, but it means such a saving of life in the future as compared with the past, that the matter takes on a humanitarian complexion. The time may possibly come when Captain Lowndes, of Gisborne, will be recognised as a publio benefactor. It will be remembered that the patent keel rail is designed to provide a means by which a sure hold can be obtained on an overturned lifeboat, and whereby such a boat can be righted, even in a rough sea, by the persons in the water. The appliance consists of hinged rails fitted to brackets and' fastened in three or four lengths along each side of the keel. The brackets supporting the rail are made of non-corrosive meta.l, and the working parts are so enclosed that it is impossible for them to become clogged by paint or dirt. At ordinary times the rails are closed into the keel and do not impede the progress of the boat. Should it be upturned in launching or at other times, those thrown into the water have in the rail a measure of support which is not afforded by the slippery keel itself or the sides of the boat. They have merely to clutch at the rail and it falls into an open position and becomes automatically locked. People can thus get a firm hold. Morevoer, the rails, when open, are a sufficient distance from the keel to enable an arm to be passed between the rail and keel. Thus the upturned boat may be used as a raft. In addition, however, the leverage which can be exerted on the rails on either side of the keel is such that it is easy for 10 or 11 persons in still water, and half that number in a choppy sea, to right a 26ft standard lifeboat, and so enable the boat to be bailed out. This, briefly, is the principle of a, device which must be seen to be properly appreciated. , RECENT DISASTERS. It is only necessary to read the evidence concerning the wrecks that have taken place during the last month or two to realise that something of this nature has long been wanted. The statement made by. the captain of the Kinfauns Castle, which went to the assistance of the passengers and crew of the German liner Hammonia, shows that much of the loss of life was caused by the upturning of the boats. In the wreck of H.M.S. Raleigh it is reported "the boat capsized and all the men were lost but the lieutenant.”. Two victims of the Egypt disaster say: “We managed to reach the keel of an overturned boat, with great difficulty hanging on to it. Luckily, the sea was calm. We saw others attempting to get on a boat, but they were unable to do so owing to the slippery nature of the keel. They unfortunately sank and lost their lives.” BOARD OF TRADE’S APPROVAL. It is necessary before the British Board of Trade give their approval that the device should form part of the equipment of a British ship. Fortunately, the owners of the Admiral Codrington had seen the need for equipping their lifeboats with the rail, but it was some months before the vessel arrived in London. The demonstration took plage in the Royal Albert Docks in October last year In passing it, the board stated that “they regard the appliance as a useful addition to ships’ lifeboats.” The American equivalent of the British Board of Trade has also recommended “that it be accepted and passed where substantially fitted in compliance with specifications submitted.” LIFEBOATMEN APPROVE. Many of the lifeboat crews round England have witnessed a demonstration of the appliance, and they recognise that if it were used they need not attend to the people clinging to upturned boats until they have relieved those on the wrecked vessel itself. Captain Lowndes and Mr R. G. Frith have had a great deal of spade work to do, and incidentally they have bought out the original company. Their first order has come from the Commonwealth Government Line of steamers, and all the vessels of that service are to be fitted with the device. The Jervis Bay, which sails to-day, has the rail on all her lifeboats, and it is interesting to know that the two boats of the Quest were also fitted with it. Indeed, the late Sir Ernest Shackleton, writing to Captain Lowndes, said: “I consider that every liner and every passenger-carrying vessel should be equipped with your device, and I trust that the Board of Trade will take the matter up and make it compulsory.”