THE AUSTRALIAN INQUIRE.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12772, 19 April 1910, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN INQUIRE.

CONFLICTING EVIDENCE. ALLEGED UNSEAWORTHINESS. Received April 19, 1.a.m.) - Melbourne, April 18. The evidence taken in Sydney, Mei- 1 .bourno, and Adelaide, in connection j wifch the loss of the Waratah for for-] warding to the Board of Trade is of a conflicting character. . A seaman who made a voyage in tne Waratah gave evidenca that he had been warned by other seamen not to join her. When she was in Adelatide he helped to paint two of -her boats, one of which was so sofe arid rottein that he could put his hand through tho wood at the bottom. The chief officer told them not to step too hard on the bottom. They had boat drill once a week, but they only took the covers off, and never lifted the boats oufc of the chocks. The Waratah rolled heavily and recovered badly, and liad difficulty iri keeping on an even keel. Aj - - ' Another seaman who joined the vessel at London stated that when he asked the chief officer for a berth he advised him to get other work if possible, because the Waratah would be a coffin for somebody some day. Witness declared that she rolled badly, especially to leeward. Sho had a list on the whole voyage. „ A coal trimmed who was examined expressed a belief that the Waratah was top-heavy. He had been told that trimmers in Sydnoy had refused to trim her -because she was ona-sided. Other witnesses declared tlTere was nothing unusual about the Waratah, and they had heard the captain and officers express favourable opinions of tho vessel's behaviour. The pilot at "Williamstown deposed that when she left on her last voyage the Waratah had no list, and the capi tain and officers made no complaints.