H.—lsa

50

No. 17.—Return of Vessels surveyed for Seaworthiness— continued.

Date of Survey. Name of Vessel. Where surveyed. Nature of Casualty, &c. 1908. June 24, 25 S.3. Aupouri .. ! Auckland Whilst this vessel was on a voyage from Tauranga to Auckland, on the 24th June, she lost her port propeller, the shaft breaking off clean at the neck of the taper. The vessel proceeded to Auckland with her starboard engine. A new propeller and propeller-shaft were fitted to the satisfaction of the Surveyor. On the 21st June, on a voyage from Dunedin to Invercargill. this vessel's port-propeller shaft broke, and the starboardpropeller blades were stripped off. The port tail-shaft broke in the stern-tube, the broken portion with propeller slipped aft, and, as the propellers overlap one another, the port one, being the forward one, came in contact with the starboard one, thus stripping off the blades. The vessel was picked up and taken in tow by the s.s. " Invercargill" at 2.30 a.m. on the 24th June, arriving at Invercargill at 1.30 p.m. the same day. A new starboard propeller and a new port-propeller shaft were fitted to the satisfaction of the Surveyor. A special survey was made of this vessel to enable her to make the trip to Sydney and back. The necessary equipments were placed on board, and all boats provisioned. On the 13th June this vessel collided against the railwaybridge piers at Balclutha. The river was in flood at the time, and to prevent her from sinking she was run ashore. The vessel was refloated on the 27th June. On being surveyed it was found necessary to renew 16 ft. of the portside top strake of hull-plating, 9 ft. on the starboard side forward, and seventeen of the frames were straightened, and all other minor damages made good. This vessel was on a voyage from Dunedin to Lyttelton on the 18th August, and when abreast of Taiaroa Heads the engines developed a heavy knock. The cylinder-cover was removed, when it was found that a piece was broken off the flange of the piston of intermediate cylinder. On the 8th July this vessel was lying at Napier breakwater, when the moorings carried away, and she drifted on shore before being secured. The vessel came off with her own steam two hours afterwards. On a survey being made it was found that six of the hull-plates were slightly dented. The vessel was put on the slip some days afterwards, when several faulty rivets were renewed in hull-plating, and repairs to rudder effected. This vessel was on a voyage from Westport to Wanganui, and on the 5th July, when crossing the Wanganui Bar, she stranded. The rudder and rudder-post were lost, and propeller and propeller-shaft bent. The hull received considerable damage during the time vessel was stranded. Temporary repairs were made to the hull at Wanganui after vessel came off the beach to permit of her being towed to Wellington. On the 12th August she was placed on the Wellington slip, when all defects were made good. On a voyage from Westport, on the 25th August, this vessel collided with the end of the Onehunga Wharf, tearing away three plates in top sides of the hull-plating and three angleframes. A survey of the damage was made, and the following repairs were found necessary: One bulwarkplate at the foremast of the raised deck 6 ft. 9 in. by 3 ft. 6 in. by /„ in., one plate abutting the above and running along the side cabins 8 ft. by 3 ft. 8 in. by | in., and one above this 13 ft. by 3 ft. 2 in. by T 5 S in., were all renewed. The latter plate carries the side ports to the cabins. Three angle-frames 6 ft. by Z\ in. by 3£ in. by f in., and one angle-bar along the top deck, 18 ft. by 2J in. by 2\ in. by | in., had also to be replaced, and several other minor defects were made good. On the 26th August, on a voyage from Nelson to Picton, and when off the end of the Picton Wharf, the starboardpropeller shaft broke. The engines had been put from ahead to astern, and just when commencing to go full speed astern the shaft broke. The vessel returned from Picton to Wellington with the port engine. She was placed on the Patent Slip, and a new propeller and shaft fitted. On a voyage from Auckland to Whangarei, on the 11th August, this vessel struck a sandspit through Bream Tail having been mistaken for Bream Head. The vessel went on the bank at 4 a.m., and floated off again at 5 a.m. the same day. The vessel was surveyed on her arrival in Auckland on the 3rd September, and was found to have received no damage. June 24-30. . „ Dorset .. Invercargill ■ June 30 Dartford (sailing- Lyttelton ship) S.s. Clyde .. | Balclutha July 2 Aug. 19 „ Victoria .. Port Chalmers .. Aug. 20 _ „ J.D.O. .. Napier Aug. 1, 24 .. „ Moa .. Wellington „ Rosamond .. ' Auckland aig. 26-28 .. .ug. 29 ,, Arahura .. Wellington Sept. 3 ,, Kapanui .. ; Auckland ■