FLOATING COFFINS.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 61, 12 November 1881, Page 136

FLOATING COFFINS.

A TALE OF A TUB. " Ships arc but boards, sailors but men ; there be land rats and water rats, land thieves ancl water thieves."— Shakespeare. The great majority of our readers are, doubtless, familiar with the famous Plimsoll mo venient in England, and the salutary results which it produced in tho introduction of legislative safeguards for the security of life and property. That some such action has become absolutely necessary m this Colony the reader will also readily admit after a perusal of tlie following facts, all of which have been gathered together witli great pains from a variety of reliable sources, and can be thoroughly vouched for if challenged : — Last week telegrams from Australia reported the foundering of the barque Glimpse, witli the loss of three lives, and the escape of the captain and seven others after undergoing very severe sufferings and privations. The Star, in its remarks upon this wreck, stated that she was condemned as unseaworthy three years ago ; but on the following da}' another paragraph appeared, in which it was stated that "Mr Stone informs us that the Glimpse was never condemned as unseaworthy, nor did he ever hear any complaint from sailors that the barque was leaky." Now, while we do not question in tlie slightest Mr Stone's high respectability and reputation for unimpeachable veracity, we cannot, but think that he made the above statement in ignorance of the facts and evidence wbieh we shall adduce. The barque Glimpse was built at Newberry, New York, in 1850", and was original^ only a short-lived vessel. She was built of .Vuorican oak, whicli is "less compact than the English species " and " of inferior qualify," according to Chambers. She Mas classed iv the "American Lloyds " of 1576 as of the first grado of the second class, viz., Al-?-. In the " Australian and New Zealand Shipping Register," issued by the Merchant Shippers' and Underwriters' Association of Melbourne, she was described a> a wooden barque of 335 tons, metalled in IBOS. and repaired in Auckland in 1881 ; but sbe was not otherwise classed. In the Timaru Herald of Dec. 13th, 1879, we find a report on this vessel, shewing t hat her crew abandoned her in the roadntead, where she had got aground and bumped on the rocks during a gale. The report goes on to say : " Being an old vessel and not properly found in ground-tackle, it is supposed she was deserted on that account, and her lying to windward of the reefs." In tbo same paper of Dec. 16th it is stated thnt the crew, who had sought refuge on board the Auckland Peerless, returned to the Glimpse, and signalled • for an anchor and chain, which were sent,; but she shortly afterwards went ashore, and the crew again deserted her. Particulars then given by tho captain showed that she went aground on the Sunday evening and bumped severely. The report continues : " Now, we know well enough that the barque is a very old and unmistakably unseaworthy vessel, that she is very badly found with ground-tackle, and the Harbour-master immediately on her arrival in the roadstead reported the state of her fixings to the insurance companies. We have further a right to know why insurance companies will persist in taking heavy risks on unseaworthy vessels bound to open roadsteads like ours, and whether steps cannot bo taken to put a check to the practice of sending these floating co'fiins to Timaru. Why did not the Harbour Board take action in the matter ? Why did not they lay all the facts before tho Government ? It is a disgrace and a dishonour that such practices as these, -which we have times without number alluded to, should be allowed to be pursued. Hitherto it has been left to the local press alone to protest against it,, but we hope the spectacle of Sunday evening aud yesterday will rouse some of our public bodies to activity. Fancy a vessel which the underwriters considered sufficiently seaworthy to be insured up to almost her full value being deserted in comparatively smooth water and fine weather, and with no probable prospect of foundering. Yet such was done last night in tlie case of the Glimpse. One thing is certain — either the underwriters are culpably to blame for taking a heavy risk on an unseaworthy vessel, or else the captain is deserving of the greatest censure for deserting a seaworthy one. We are inclined to believe that if she were not a veritable tub no English captain would have deserted her. With reference to the gale on Sunday night, we may mention that all other vessels in the roadstead but the barque Glimpse rode it out easily, and lay as snug as possible." Capt. Norris, of the Glimpsp, wrote to the Timaru Herald a few days later denying several of its statements, and 'throwing the blame on the harbour authorities, but the editor appended a footnote declining to withdraw his previous remarks, and throwing doubt on the explanation offered by the captain. The Glimpse was then brought to Auckland for repairs. On arrival the crew made a claim for extra payment on account of the arduous work they had performed on the passage in pumping out the vessel, and in the Star of Feb. lst, 1880, there was a paragraph stating that a letter had been received from one of the seamen " detailing his experience of Ufe in general on that vessel, which he endeavours to show was not of a very pleasant nature; The writer concludes

by expressing tho opinion that the captain of the barque Avas reprehensible for not putting into some port between Timaru and Auckland Avhen tho A-essel Avas making Avater at such a rate that the ci-cav never left the pumps." The vessel Avas docked in Auckland after inspection, and reported upon by the marine surveyor of the Associated Underwriters. His report i.s a private document compiled only for the information and guidance of the companies, and consequently cannot be published, but from inquiries in various quarters avc have ascertained their purport. He found the fore-foot of the vessel knocked away for five or six feet, and the after end of the keel gone, and also a portion of the false keel, Avhile there was a camber, or indentation of five or six inches in her keel and floors. He reported that the vessel Avas old, and recommended the offices to decline any risk AvhateA'er in her. The insurance on the Glimpse Avas offered about the same time to the New Zealand Company, but in consequence o\ Captain Clayton's verbal opinion on her, the risk avus not accepted. The Colonial and other companies also took the same course. The Glimpse Avas again docked on July 25th, 1880, and in August following the marine surveyor again reported her uninsurable, and strongly recommended the offices to decline any risk on' freight or cargo in her. She Avas once more docked on April sth, 1881, again inspected, and the previous reports confirmed. Captain Burgess saw .her then, and observed that her keel Avas made up of pieces. Mr Henderson, of Henderson and Spraggon, gives from his books the following accounts of repairs :-- January 1880, £89 16s lOcl ; April 21st, 1881, £65 ; blacksmith's Avork, about £100. He says that Avhen she Avas in dock, after coming from Timaru, he found both ends of her keel knocked out. He considers himself qualified, after seven years apprenticeship, and twenty-three years experience in Auckland, to have pronounced the Glimpse seaworthy as a good second-class vessel to convey perishable cargo, but admits that she Avas badly cambered, though he says this is a common feature in all " greatly aged vessels." But he considers that when she left Auckland last time she Avas a perfectly tight vessel, iv fact " in better condition thon she had eA-er been since Mr Stone got her," and Mr Henderson says that the men often remarked, when she avus last undergoing repairs, that " she Avould be a tight vessel this time." Further, he has received a letter from the mate confirming that opinion. JEn passant, it may be remarked that tho mate has paid for this confidence Avith his life. Capt. Phillip .Tones, a surveyor of the "-Bureau Veritas," examined the Glimpse in April, 1881, and this is his report. He filled the hold of the A-es-sel with water to the depth of five feet, and finding some leaks in the garboard streak and other parts of the ship, had them caulked and refastened. Three pieces of new planking Avere placed in her bottom, and several new planks in her quarters ; lop-sides thoroughly overhauled : some new keel and keelson bolts, and 150 sheets of copper replaced, besides sundry other repairs ; masts and rigging examined. Pronounced the Glimpse seaworthy. Capt. Jones also says that he received a letter from Capt. Norris at Honolulu stating that the Glimpse avus perfectly light, only leaking to a comparatiA'cly small extent, and that she had made a particularly smart passage. Messrs Henderson and Spraggon Avere the shipAvrights avlio repaired the vessel on scA'cral occasions, and Capt. Jones Avas employed by the OAvner to survey her. They were, consequently, to that extent interested parties. Against their statements avc must place the three reports of Capt. Worsp condemning the A-essel as unfit for insurance, as aycll as the opinion of Mr Gouk, an experienced shipAvright, Avho says that seven years ago, Avhen the A-essel Avas owned by Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane, lie considered her unfit for sea, and that Avhen he last saAV her in dock the seams in her bows were opened, the iron bolts rotten and loose, the keel patched, and her timbers soft. The most damning evidence as to the state of the vessel is Mr Gouk's further statement that Avhen tlie Glimpse Avas in dock the blocks on Avhich she rested floated out from beneath her, Avhile the shores remained in their places, shoAving that the whole frame of the vessel avus so limp and insecure as to yield up. Avards and inwards Avith pressure from AvithoutMr Gouk says, " I consider that even after the Glimpse was repaired she was not so sound a vessel as the Clara Hargrcavcs. The Glimpse Avas cambered like a rainbow." Before the Glimpse lect for Honolulu, her last trip from this port, Captain Norris Avas warned by a- master mariner of many years standing of the danger he encountered by going to sea in such an old and unseaAvorthy A-essel. Captain Norris replied that this Avas his last trip, and that if he got back all right, lie would not make another. He Avas aA'erse to taking his son on board, but yielding to pressure, consented to do so. Indeed, throughout Captain Norris appears to have clung to the Glimpse with that fatal kind of confidence and obstinacy Avhich characterise some old sailors. The NeAV Zealand offices having refused to insure the barque, an insurance Avas effected on her in an Australian office to the amount of £500, though an experienced manager in Auckland assures us that had she been insured to a fair amount for a seaworthy barque, it Avould have been at least £2500 ; £500 being about the insurance on a small schooner.' Whether the Australian Office which accepted the risk Avas aware of the fact that the lP\e\\ r Zoaiand Companies liad declined it, does not appear, but the ignorance of the Australiau underwriters is inexcusable, in the face of tlie fact that copies of marine surveyors' reports are exchanged Avith the NeAV Zealand Offices. The Glimpse left Auckland for Honolulu, and proceeded to Paget Sound, where she loaded timber for Melbourne. On the 20th October last, she foundered at sea 2-40 miles off tne Australian Coast, Captain Norris' son, the mate and cook of the vessel being drowned, Avhile Captain Norris and seven others escaped in the boats, and were picked up by a passing steamer, after having subsisted for eight days on raw potatoes, and endured " terrible privations in the boat, principally from thirst." That the Glimpse

did not founder in a heavy gale is proved by the escape of the crow in an open boat. It may be assumed that if the sea was so high as to swamp tho barque no open boat such as she carried would have lived in it, and avc must come to the conclusion that tho timbers had become strained, opening tho old scams, and that the vessel sunk from leakage which the pumps could not keep under. Where the blame is distributed upon so many shoulders, it is not possible to point to any particular individual as responsible for this loss of life. The fault lies in the system, or rather want of system. The Glimpse, Wellington, ar.d Clara Hargreaves Avere simultaneously condemned in the same report iv August, 18S0, as un • • nvorthy. The Wellington Avas afterwards suffer • I. to go to the Islands, Avliere she Avas condemned, and sent back to Auckland to be sold. She was bought at a nominal price, patched up, Avent to the Kaipara and loaded timber. Leaving for Sydney in a leaky condition, the Avater increased so rapidly that she had to put into Auckland, only escaping by little short of a miracle. She Avas again patched up and Avent on a voyage to Yokohama, but foundered at sea, the captain and crew fortunately saving themselves from death. The Clara Hargreaves Avent to Dunedin, but there the Customs authorities warned her captain that they Avould not again permit her to go to sea if she returned. She came back to Auckland, Avas examined, and condemned. She is said to have been in such a condition that some of those avlio saw her could thrust their hands into the seams above the water-line. She Avas sold in Aucklaud for £200. She has since then been laid up. The Annie Milbank was also repaired some time ago by Messrs Bailey, and it was suggested that Capt. Worsp should be asked to survey her Avith a view to repairs, but Mr Gouk said it Avould be useless to do so, as the vessel would doubtless be condemned. Another marine surveyor Avas obtained, and he prepared specifications i'or Avhich he made a charge of six guineas. Mr Jobson, the Government inspector of steamers, saAV tho A-essel, and insisted on further repairs, and Avhen these Avere completed he pronounced her fit only for extended river seiwice. She made a trip to Coromandel, and is now lying in harbour. We think avc have adduced abundant evidence to prove the necessity for a thorough change in the system of marine inspection. At present there is an inspector of machinery, Mr Nancarrow, avlio is quite independent of private control, and may on his oavii authority condemn the boiler or engines of a vessel. Capt. Jobson has similar poAiers Avith regard to steamers. As to a staling vessel it may be condemned as unseaAvorthy on the representation of tAvo-thirds of its crew, but in such cases they are usually either detached from each other, or confounded by superior Aveight of CA'idence by experts; and perhaps imprisoned for a breach of the Merchant Shipping Act in refusing to do duty. At present a vessel may have been repeatedly condemned by' the marine surveyor of the Associated UnderAvriters, and a private surveyor may.be got to pass her as sea worthy, but thepiiblie remain in ignorance of the fact that she had ever been adversely reported on by an independent and impartial surveyor, and may entrust then- lives and property in her. The reports of Capt Worsp are the private property of the companies, reseiwed for their information, and do not see the light in the Press. AYe pointed out this anomaly to an insurance manager the other day, and remarked that the prevalence of this systom proved tlie existence of a callous indifference to the safety of human life. " I don't care a for human life," he remarked. " You don't ?" No, Ido not ; as an insurance manager, it is not my business. I insure the ship or cargo ; it is the business of other oflices to insure their lives. As a priA-ato citizen I have as much regard for human life as any man ought to have, but it does not concern me as an insurance agent." No doubt, to all but life insurance agents and a feAV others, this is the aA-crage commercial view of the matteiymd it is not to our mind a very creditable state of things in this boasted age of enlightened philanthropy and humanitarian sympathy. Under such circumstances it is the bounden duty of the Government to interfere between commercial selfishness and its victims, and to initiate reforms in the system. What is wanted is a competent official wholly remoA-ed from private control, aalio shall have absolute poAver under certain defined conditions to condemn vessels as unseaAvorthy. For this purpose the Government might combine the duties of examining in navigation, swinging ships, adjusting compasses, surveyor under the Wrecks Act, and inspector of unseaworthy vessels, under one head. The appointment of this responsible officer Avould be a perfect guarantee for the preservation of life and property, and Avould be alike beneficial to OAvners, shippers, seamen, and the public. We have Avritten this altogether Avithout bias against any individuals, and solely in tho public interest, and avc can only conclude Avith a hope that the subject Avill be brought under the consideration of Parliament in its next session. We may add that if blame rests in any one quarter more than another it is on the Australian underwriters, who help to keep unscaAvorthy A-essels afloat, to the danger of life, by accepting risks upon thorn after they have been declined by tho Ncav Zealand offices. [Since the above Avas in type Capt. Jones has called at the oflice and informed us that he did not consider the Glimpse fit to carry perishable cargo, but certain cargo.]