SINKING OF A TRAWLER.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19017, 7 August 1933, Page 8

SINKING OF A TRAWLER.

NAUTICAL INQUIRY OPENS. MYSTERY REGARDING LEAK. VESSEL WAS SEAWORTHY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Monday. A nautical inquiry Into the loss of the Auckland trawler Serfeb, which was abandoned when sinking near East Cape in June 8, opened to-day, before the Magistrate, Mr Wyvern Wilson. . Mr Hubble, representing the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine, said the real cause of the sinking was unknown. The ship had gone to sea after a stringent survey, and there were no known rocks In the vicinity. Mr Horace S. Baldwin, Government surveyor of ships, said he surveyed the Serfeb in March and April and was satisfied that ,she was thoroughly seaworthy. A leak caused by damage inside the vessel, the dropping of iron bar, or a spanner into a position where it would he struck by a crank, was possible, though hardly likely. ' Mr James A- Flett, master, said that the first he knew of anything wrong was at three o’clock in the morning, when it was reported that the ship was making water. Witness was then on the bridge, and had noticed nothing unusual. An engineer told him that he did not know the cause of the trouble. Witness remained with the engineer in the engine-room, for about four minutes, and then prepared to abandon the ship, as it was realised that she was sinking. They left about balf-an-hour after the disoovery of the leak. He thought if the ship had struck anything the shock would have been felt. (Proceeding.)