LOSS OF SCOW KAIAIA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19042, 16 June 1936, Page 9

LOSS OF SCOW KAIAIA

CONCLUSION OF INQUIRY

CLASSIFICATION QUERY

"COFFIN-SHIP" COMMENT

(Pur Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last-night. \n inquiry into the sinking of the 35ton auxiliary scow, Kaiaia. near Mercury Bay on March 25 was continued tins afternoon before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S M , with whom were associated, as assessors, Captain 1). Bell, Captain E. W. Norton, and Mr. E. R. Lane lhe Crown was represented by »[>•.;• » Hubble, who said that the Minister oi Marine desired to know the cause of the foundering.

Following the earlier evidence given by Captain 11. S. Aspden, the master oi the vessel, a further account, of the mishap was given by Douglas Bowie Stubbing, engineer of the Kaiaia. He said the engine pump would normally cope with 1000 gallons of water an hour and the two hand pumps together would handle 1500 gallons. The scow was fitted with two engines. This machinery was all in working order.

The other three members of the crew substantiated the. evidence given by the master and the engineer.

Various shipwrights and surveyors who worked on and examined the Kaiaia in December testified to the soundness of her hull and to her full equipment of life-saving appliances. Questioning Leonard Robertson, master mariner and marine surveyor, Mr. Wilson asked whether he considered the Kaiaia was suitable for a total engine power of 54 horse-power and for cruising oil all coasts of the Dominion, which her classification as a "home-trade" vessel enabled her to do. "The engines were quite suitable." said the witness. The matter of the vessel's classification was ruled as beyond the. scope of the inquiry.

"The classification of this type of craft," said Mr. Wilson in reviewing the evidence, "as a home-trade vessel is no more than the licensing of coffin ships. If nothing is done to protect men sailing in these scows, there will be some terrible disasters."'

Mr. Wilson said the finding of the court would be submitted to the Minister of Marine.