49

H.—lsa

No. 16.—Return of Vessels surveyed for Seaworthiness, &c., from the 1st April, 1910, to the 31st March, 1911.

7—H. 15a.

Dβ te of Survey. Name of Vessel. Where surveyed. Nature of Casualty, &c. 1910. April 5 S.s. Bramley Auckland This vessel was on a voyage from Newcastle to Valparaiso. On the 1st April, when about a hundred miles east of the Three Kings, an accident occurred to her main machinery. On examination it was found that the air-pump links had carried away. Temporary repairs were effected, and the vessel proceeded to Auckland, where a new set of links were made and fitted. On the 12th April, during a voyage from Picton to Westport, and when about ten miles from Stephen's Island, this vessel ran into heavy head weather. She was in light trim, which caused the machinery to race considerably. The main steam-pipe, through the racing, was fractured for about 3 in. at the neck of the flange, and the vessel put into Nelson for repairs. The defective portion of the pipo was cut off, a new flange brazed on, and the pipe was afterwards tested to 3401b. hydraulic pressure, and found satisfactory. On a voyage from Lyttolton to Laverick's Bay on the 7th April, this vessel touched the rocks near Laverick's Bay wharf. On her return to Lyttolton an examination of her hull was made, when it was found sho had received no damage. On the 16th April, whilst berthing at the Nelson wharf, this vessel collided with it, damaging her stem and the bulwarks. A new piece was fitted into the stem, several new stanchions were fitted, the bulwarks were repaired, and two iron breast hooks were fitted. This vessel was on a voyage from Collingwood to Waitapu on the 18th April, when, shortly after leaving Collingwood, her propeller-shaft broke off close to the neck of the liner, probably caused by striking a submerged snag in the river. The vessel was towed back to Collingwood. The old propeller was recovered, and fitted to the spare shaft which was carried on board. The vessel then proceeded on her voyage. On the 14th January this vessel had just left Auckland Harbour for London with a full cargo. When going down Rangitoto Channel she struck an uncharted rock, doing considerable damage to her hull. The water gained access to the holds, which were soon flooded. Divers located the holes in the hull. These holes were plugged up, and a number of salvage pumps employed to pump the vessel out. A portion of the cargo was discharged, and the vessel pumped out. She returned to Auckland on the 20th January, whore she was docked for survey and repairs. On examination it was found that she had received extensive damage to her hull plating and frames through coming into contact with tho rocks. Sixty-six of the plates were much damaged, forty-nine frames bent or broken, a number of wash and intercostal plates in No. 1 tank buckled, and one tank top, also part of the rollingchock, damaged. All the damage was on the starboard side. The following repairs were carried out: In the A strake two plates were cut out and renewed ; in the B strake two plates were cut out and renewed ; in the C strake one plate was cut out and renewed ; in the D strake four plates were reriveted ; in the E strake six plates were cut out and one plate renewed ; in the F strake five plates were cut out and renewed ; in the bilge strake sixteen plates were cut out and renewed and thirty-four plates taken off, straightened, and reriveted. Two frames were straightened, forty-seven frames were cut, and new pieces varying from 8 ft. to 14 ft. in length fitted in. One tank top plate was taken out, straightened, replaced, and new angle irons fitted. Twelve new wash-plates were fitted, and five were taken out, straightened, and replaced. Seventeen new intercostal plates were fitted. 16 ft. of new tee iron was fitted to the rolling-chock and one keelplate was straightened in position. This vessel was on a voyage from Auckland to Valparaiso. At 4 a.m. on the 8th April the vessel was five hundred miles from the New Zealand coast, when all tho air- and cir-culating-pump links carried away. Thoro was a flaw in one of the links, and when this link broke it threw a greater strain on the remaining links, causing them to carry away. The air-, circulating-, feed-, and bilge-pump rods and plungers were also damaged through the links carrying away. The vessel returned to Auckland, where the necessary renewals and repairs were made. Nelson April 13 .. ' S.s. Pukaki April 14 S.s. .Monica Lyttelton April 18 S.s. Lady Barkly Nelson April 21 S.s. Wairoa Nelson S.s. Kaipara Jan. 18, 28; Feb. 3; Mar. 2, 16, 30; April 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 Auckland April 12, 25 I S.s. Bramley Auckland