ENGINEER’S LIFE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17027, 12 August 1929, Page 5

ENGINEER’S LIFE

JOYS DESCRIBED WORK NOT ALWAYS PEACEFUL That the marine engineer is called upon to perform deeds that only too seldom are made known to the admiring public is generally understood in seafaring circles. To the bridge and dock’ officers go the credit for ‘bringing crippled ships to port. But down in the Icowels of the ships are the lads who give the old wreck the final bit ■of courage to cany on. It is the engineers who make the engines go, and keep when ready to fall to pieces.

No comment is needed to give the proper picture in the following evidence at the Vestris inquiry in London. The second engineer on the ship was on tiro stand, and this is what he did: “Wert) you given an order to break off the pipe of the ash ejector pump, so that it could be used to purnp the bilges?” “Yes. To do this 1 bad to sit in water up to niv neck.” The engineer explained that he broke off the pipe near a flange, and on one occasion the roll of the vessel caused him to fall over against the ship’s side, and the donkeyman pulled him out “by tlio hair.”

“Mow long were you at this difficult job?” “About two hours.” “Were you in the stokehold and engine room all through Sunday night 1 ? “Yes.’ “Did you go up on deck on Monday morning?” ‘Wes.’’ “What made you do that?” “One of the engineers told me the rail was under water. I would not believe him, and I went up to satisfy myself.” “And you found he was right?” “Yes.”

“You were working up to your neck in water on Sunday afternoon breaking (lie joint. Did you ever go to change your clothes?’’ “No; they dried on me.” _ . ... “Was the firing a difficult job?’ “Yes, because of the list.” “What pressure of steam had you then in the boilers?” “Between 80 and 100 pounds, I should think.” “Did the steam gradually go back?” “Yes.” “Who were the last people clown in the engine room, so far as you know?” “The chief and the fifth engineer.” When ordered to shut down the pumps, the witness continued, he shut off first the ballast pump, and then the general service pump. He found it impossible to got to the asli ejector pump at all. because of coal and water coming down from the (bulkhead. “Was this going on down to the end of your stay in the engine room?’ “Yes.” “Were you then ordered to shut the stop ,valves on the boilers?” “Yes.” “It was a difficult- job?” “Yes.” “Owing to the list?” “Yes. and there was a chance of getting hit by things coming out of the stores.”