SAFETY OR SPEED?

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9388, 6 March 1909, Page 4

SAFETY OR SPEED?

Per Press Association. Dunedin, March 5,

In consequence of the wreck of the Penguin and tbe evidence submitted at the inquiry; some suggestions have been made that some shipmasters sacrifice Jfehe safety of their ships and passengers to the constantly-growing anxiety to make fast passages. Sir Jas. Mills, managing director of the Union Go., in converastion with a reporter, denied emphatically the suggestion that masters must adhere rigidly to the time-table at any risk. He said that when a man was put in charge of a ship every confidence was placed in him and he was absolutely untrameiled as regards navigation and management of the'vessel. Every master on appointment received a special letter from, the bead office of the company impressing on him the necessity for the exercise of the greatest care, skill and tact in carrying ont the responsible duties attaching to the position of commander of a ship. The safety of lives and property mast be tne first consideration under all circumstances. “Whenever,” continued Sir James, “a master receives a transfer or promotion a letter couched in similar terms is sent him, in wliicji he is urged to care for the safety of those on board the ship.”