AN ENQUIRY.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15886, 26 July 1923, Page 5

AN ENQUIRY.

THE PORT AUCKLAND. A BUCKLED DECK. ._jr (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 26. During heavy weather at sea on June 27th., the steamer, Port Auckland, sustained damage to her deck, which made it advisable for the vessel to return to Wellington for repairs.

A nautical inquiry has been held to-day before Mr Hunt, S.M., Captain Barron, and Mr Loekhead, engineer.

It was mentioned that the vessel was practically new, this only being her second trip. Mr Prenderville, for the Customs Department, said his department had no suggestion to make nor any accusation. The purpose of the inquiry was to prevent, if possible, a recurrence of such a casualty. J. E. Bridger, the chief' engineer of the vessel, said she was between 1500 and 1600 miles from New Zealand when they turned back. The deck plates had been buckled and the deck beams set up, while the plates and beams wgre all working very much at that spot. The damage occurred during the night, and was discovered at daylight. During the night the vessel took some very heavy seas. After 35 years’ experience, he could say he had never seen such a succession of gales as was experienced .on that trip for some nine days. Witness was of the opinion the damage was caused by the heavy weather.

The chief officer said the master of the vessel joined her in New Zealand, and was not present when loading was commenced. The vessel though heavily laden, was not down to her marks. Her total cargo was 9797 tons, while the bunker coal in addition weighed 3150 tons. Tne vessel was trimmed before leaving Lyttelton, and was on an even keel and drawing 28ffc. 9in. On leaving; Lyttelton gales were t encountered, and speed was reduced. Eventually they ran into hurricane squalls with phenomenal seas. Witness watched the plates on deck and in heavy seas they pulsated and indulations ran through the vessel as far as No. 2 hold. The stowage was inspected and watched daily. The buckling might have been caused at No. 3 batch by the strain on the centre resulting through the vessel closing support amidships when she crested on two waves. Since the vessel was in port the cargo had been re-stowed and 100 tons removed from No. 3 hold.

Captain Deith, of the Westmoreland, agreed with the centralised stowage which eased *he vessel. It occasionally happened that other than cargo vessels sustained deck buckling in the centre, and he thought the captain was correct in returning to port. Members of the crew also gave evidence attributing the damage to the heavy weather. D. C. Blair, Lloyd’s representative, said the exceptional conditions of this voyage could not have been provided against by the builders. He would have allowed the ship to be stowed as she was. The Court adjourned to view the vessel.