LOSS OF THE USWORTH.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19606, 19 June 1935, Page 7

LOSS OF THE USWORTH.

CAPTAIN EXONERATED. DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. REGULATIONS COMPLIED WITH. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 19, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, June IS. The Court of Inquiry into the foundering of the Usworth during a heavy gale in January last found the master did everything possible to save the vessel, and was justified in abandoning the ship, which was overwhelmed by a hurricane after the failure of the steering gear. The owners had complied with the regulations. A message received last April stated: The shipping world is awaiting with exceptional interest the Board Qf Trade inquiry into the loss during heavy gales in recent months of four British steamships of which the Usworth was one. The inquiry, which is to be conducted under the Presidency, of Lord Merrivale, is expected, to cover a wide held including the manning and seaworthiness of the vessels. While the formal Investigations, will be confined particularly to the losses concerned, the Court will have before it general provisions applying to the class of ships to which these four vessels belonged, and it Is hoped a searching investigation will add to general knowledge of gale conditions and contribute towards the preservation of life at sea.