H.—lsa

38

Return of Vessels surveyed for Seaworthiness — continued.

Date of Survey. Name of Vessel. Where surveyed. Nature ol Casualty, &c. 1904. lot. 18 S.s. Waiwera .. Wellington A portion of main steam-pipe of main engines was found defective. It was repaired and tested by hydraulic pressure. One length of main steam-pipe of main engines was defective. It was repaired and tested by hydraulic pressure. Vessel grounded whilst entering Poxton Eiver. No damage was discovered. A new bend made for main steam-pipe of main engines and tested by hydraulic pressure. During a voyage from Wellington to Kaipara, when about ten miles south of Cape Egmont, the propeller-shaft broke, carrying away part of stern-tube and propeller-blades. Vessel sailed baok as far as Kapiti Island, and from thence was towed to Wellington, where new propeller-shaft, stern-tube, and propeller were fitted. Vessel grounded outside Nelson Harbour, denting the hull slightly in No. 1 ballast-tank on port side and also slightly in No. 2 tank, and breaking the cement. There were no signs of vessel leaking. The tanks were reoemented. Surveyed rudder and stock. The stock was slightly twisted, but no sign of flaw was discovered. Survey of alterations to vessel. The hatches were enlarged to facilitate the oarrying of coal-cargoes. Three deck beams broken on starboard side of vessel abaft the main hatch, and three beams broken on port side — two abaft the main hatch and one forward of same; also rivets loose in several beams, caused by working of veseel. The mizzen-top-gallant-yard was also unsafe, and several holes round the oounter required plugging. All these defects were made good. Vessel struok on reef off D'Urville Island during a fog on voyage from Picton to Nelson, damaging the fore part of hull forward of collision bulkhead, and also on port side in fore ballast-tank. Three new plates were fitted and one straightened, and two new gusset-plates were put in between marginplate of tank and side of vessel. Rudder-stock was twisted by grounding in the Foxton River. Quadrant of rudder keyed on to head temporarily to bring vessel on to Wellington, when a new stock was welded on to rudder. A portion of the main steam-pipe of main engines was defective. This was repaired and tested by hydraulio pressure. Rudder-stock carried away about 12 in. below upper gudgeon. The rudder was unshipped and a piece welded in at point of fracture. Cargo of flax in vessel caught fire, burning through the deck. The damaged portion of deck was cut out and renewed. Vessel grounded when entering the Foxton River, breaking shoe under aperture, also starting a number of butts and fastenings. New shoe fitted, and other defects made good. Core-plug came out of port L.P. piston between Jackson's Head and the Brothers during voyage from Motueka to Wellington, breaking piston, crank-pin brasses and bolts, and bending connecting-rod. New piston, brasses, and bolts were fitted and connecting - rod straightened. This vessel grounded on the rooks whilst entering the Bluff Harbour at night, owing to the Captain being unaware of the sinking of lightship at entrance to this harbour. The looal surveyor, with a diver, examined the hull while afloat at the Bluff and found a craok in bottom plating, which was temporarily repaired to allow vessel to prooeed to Port Chalmers. She was docked there, and the damage was found to consist of one keelplate and two adjoining plates on starboard side under boiler partly cracked. These were let. 28 Pakeha .. Wellington let. 28 Himitangi Wellington fov. 16 Whangape Wellington Fov. 22 Petone Wellington Mapourika Wellington lec. 6 •ec. 22 Whangape Auckland lec. 29 Glenelg .. Auckland lec. 29 Astracana Auckland 1905. an. 16 Wainui .. Wellington Himitangi Wellington Jan. 28 Jan. 28 Karamea.. Auckland Jan. 28 P.s. Whakatere Auckland Feb. 15 S.s. Muritai .. Auckland Feb. 27 Kirir ika .. Wellington Mar. 7 Tasman .. Wellington Mar. 27 Inveroargill Dunedin