50

IT.—lsa

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

Date ot Survey. Naine of Vessel. Name o£ Vessel. ! Where surveyed. Nature of Casualty, *c. | 1 " . I ' I 1909. September 11 S.s. Paparoa •S.s. Paparoa . . ' Port Chalmers . . ! This vessel was on a voyage from the Bluff to Port Chalmers on the 11 th September, when she grounded on a sand'spit at the entrance to Otago Heads, remaining aground from 6.50 a.m. to 9.15p.m. She came off by means of her own engines and the assistance of the tug " Plucky." A survey of the vessel was made, when she was found to have received no damage. Kiripak-a .. : Wellington .. On the 21st September, as this vessel was crossing the Patea Bar on a voyage from that port to Wellington, she was struck by two heavy seas, which damaged her hull, causing the vessel to leak. On arrival at Wellington she was placed on the Patent Slip and a survey made. The keelson under the centre of forehatch, two deck-beams at the forward end of hatch, and one side stringer and plank on the starboard bow were found to be fractured, also a number of butts of the hull-planking started. A 10 in. by 5 in. by 31 ft. ironbark beam was bolted on either side of the keelson and through the keel of the vessel. Nine new fastenings were put into sister keelsons ; one new ironbark bilge-stringer 14 in. by 4 in. by 17 ft. was fitted; two new deck-beams and one new plank, were fitted on starboard bilge, and all defective seams and butts were caulked. Taihui .. Port Chalmers .. At 7.30 p.m. on the 7th September, when about eight hundred miles north of Cape Town, on a voyage from London to Wellington, the port propeller was supposed to have struck some floating wreckage. One blade was broken off at the flange, and also six of the studs securing blade to the boss. The vessel was docked at Port Chalmers, and new studs and one new blade were fitted. Several rivets were renewed in each of the after web-frames in way of port propeller-shaft spectacle, and a number of rivets in rudder. Kotare Bluff . . .. I During a voyage from Dunedin to Invercargill on the 26th October the forward web of the after crank broke, when off Slope Point. The after web of the same crank had been fractured on a previous occasion, and strengthened Infitting a heavy wrought-iron strap round it. This strap was removed and fitted to the broken web, thus enabling the vessel to continue her voyage under reduced power. On arrival at the Bluff a new strap was made and fitted to the fractured web. Wairoa, .. j .Auckland .. ! As this vessel was lying alongside the Queen Street Wharf, Auckland, on the 18th October, a fire was discovered in - j the lamp-locker about 10 p.m., which destroyed all the ship's lanthofns and the door of the locker before being extinguished. Several copper pipes in the engine-room were also found to be defective. All the damaged parts were made good. Holmdale •.. Wellington .. On the 29th October, on a voyage from Greymouth to Lyttelton, and when about a mile from Wellington Heads, the propeller-shaft broke at the large part of taper, the propeller being lost. Sail was set, and the vessel was enabled to sail into Wellington Harbour. She was placed on the Patent Slip, where a new propeller and shaft were fitted. O e v I'ta .. Wellington .. At 3.30 p.m. of the 4th November, as this vessel was assisting to turn the s.s. " Tainui " in Wellington Harbour, the exhaust valve and spindle of her engines broke, disabling the vessel. A new valve and spindle were fitted. The remainder of the machinery, on examination, was found to have received no damage. S.s. Takapuna Wellington .. Whilst on a voyage from Picton to Nelson, on the 18th November at about 2 a.m., the vessel grazed Walker Rock at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound. The weather at the time was very thick and she was unable to pick up the Beacon. As the vessel appeared to have received no damage, she continued on her voyage to Nelson. On her return to Wellington a survey of the vessel internally was made, and a diver examined the outside of the hull, the vessel being afloat. She was found to have sustained iro damage at all. Taviuni .. Westport .. I 'This vessel was surveyed for seaworthiness in order that she might be allowed to make the v03 7 age from Westport to Port Chalmers in tow of the tug "Terawhiti." The hull was found to be perfectly watertight. The necessary equipments were put on board, including a suit of sails and provisions sufficient for about two months, and also a crew. Mapourika .. Wellington .. 'this vessel was on a voyage from Westport to Nelson on the 27th November, and when entering Nelson Harbour- sinlook the ground. She remained aground forty-one minutes, and floated again as the tide made. All the tanks were sounded and an examination made. The vessel was found to have sustained no damage. ,, Kiripak-a September 23 October 18.. ,, Tainui Oct. 26 and 27 October 29 . . October 29 ; Nov. 1 November 5 November 19 Nov. 20, 22, 24, 25 November. 29