LIVES AT SEA

Southland Times, Issue 25341, 20 July 1935, Page 5

LIVES AT SEA

THE PROBLEM OF SAFETY.

INVESTIGATIONS INTO WRECKS.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, July 18. Speaking on the Board of Trade vote in the House of Commons, Mr Walter Runciman mentioned the problem of safety of lives at sea and referred to the losses of the Usworth, Blairgowrie, La Cresenta and Millpool. The Wreck Commissioner, Lord Merrivale, had completed his inquiries into three of these cases. There was no reflection in his judgments on the Board of Trade, which had one of the best technical staffs in the world. There were four main points on which the court had issued solemn opinions, namely, steering gear, manning, surveys and the way they had been conducted, and entries in logs. Lord Merrivale believed that the loss of the Usworth was due to the failure of the steering gear and that her gear was of a kind which involved special risks. Immediately he heard the finding Mr Runciman set up a strong committee to consider the types of main and auxiliary steering gear fitted on the Usworth and the Blairgowrie. As soon as the Government had the committee’s report it would study it, and if necessary act upon it.