ABEL TASMAN WRECK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20492, 10 August 1936, Page 6

ABEL TASMAN WRECK

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY By Telegraph Press Association GREYMOUTH, August 9. At the inquiry into the wreck of the Abel Tasman the harbourmaster, Captain Cox, stated that to his knowledge three vessels broken away at Greymouth during flood time, namely, the Taupo, Omana ma Abel Tasman. The present mooring system had always been adopted. The flood on July 18 was not such as to cause concern. The trouble really were defects in the ships’ chains. He suggested that when a second cable was put out a 4i inch steel wi-e mooring line should be used instead of an anchor chain, and that the port anchor remain shackled to the chain ready for instant use. A special steel wire line should be kept on the ship for mooring. He also suggested an extra turn around the mooring posts. He did not favour the practice of slackening the stern moorings and allowing ships ’to ease out from the wharf as it led to shoaling of the berthage. The Abel Tasman was moored as well as possible.

Captain Henry Moar, deputyharbourmaster, stated that on July 18 he instructed the Kaimai to put ou. a second cable. The moorings of the Able Tasman complied with the requirements. He was told that steam was handy, the pressure being IGOlbs. Witness did not consider at necessary to use the ship’s engines with a current of eight knots, but was in favour of using them when the current was 10 knots There was a danger to propellers from logs when the engines were running. There was no objection to the propeller just turning over. A similar system of mooring was in vogue at Westport. T. D. C. Milne, -harbour engineer, stated that the of the Omana’s breakaway last year was the failure of a crystallised sha :kle. The wreckage of the Kaponga was 115 feet north of the centre of the navigable channel and there was ample room for vessels if they kept the course indicated by the beacons. Counsel will address the Court on Monday.