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No. 19.—Return of Vessels surveyed for Seaworthiness, etc., from the 1st April, 1911, to 31st March, 1912.

Date of Survey. Name of Vessel. Where surveyed. Nature of Casualty, &c 1911. Lpril 4 S.s. Wairau Nelson On the 4th April, 1911, as this vessel was leaving Motueka for Karamea, a slight defect was noticed at the flange of the main steam-pipe. The vessel put into Nelson, where the pipe was repaired. It was afterwards tested to 280 lb. per square inch by hydraulic pressure. On the 26th March, 1911, on a trip from Nelson to Hokitika, when about one mile north of the Hokitika Bar, the end of the propeller-shaft broke and the propeller was lost. The vessel was put under sail for Greymouth, and when off that port was taken in tow by the s.s. " Himitangi," which towed her into port. A spare propeller and shaft were then fitted. During the voyage of this vessel from New Caledonia to Wellington on the 24th April, 1911, it was noticed that the main steam-pipe was leaking round the brazing of one of the flanges. On arrival at Wellington the pipe was taken on shore for repairs, the defective portion of the pipe being cut off and a new piece 8 in. long brazed on. The pipe was afterwards tested to 360 lb. per square inch by hydraulic pressure. On the 3rd May, 1911, this vessel left Dunedin for Lyttelton. When off Harrington Point, Otago Harbour, she failed to answer her helm and took the ground at 4.20 p.m. She remained aground until 6.20 p.m. when, with the assistance of a tug and her own engines, she came off. After an examination of the vessel at Dunedin she proceeded to Lyttelton, where a further examination of her hull was made by a diver, when the vessel was found to be uninjured. The steering gear was examined and the spring which keeps the clutch in gear was found to be weak. This spring was renewed and the steering-gear was then found to be otherwise in good condition. On the 4th May, 1911, during the voyage from Tokomaru Bay to Auckland and when off Cuvier Island, the starboard steering-rod carried away. The chain being then slack came off the barrel of the drum, got jambed, and broke the flange of the drum. After several hours work temporary repairs were effected, which enabled the vessel to reach Auckland. New steering-rods were fitted, the drum was repaired by the acetylene welding-process, and the fairleads raised. The steering-gear, after completion of these repairs, was found to be in good condition. This vessel was making a trip from Foxton to Wanganui on the 16th May, 1911, when she collided with the s.s. " Wairau " in the Manawatu River. After the collision the " Himitangi" proceeded on her voyage to Wanganui, where an inspection was made. The only damage found was a slight bulge at the 5 ft. water-mark on the starboard bow, which did not affect her seaworthiness. At 11 a.m. on the 21st May, 1911, on a voyage from Niue to Auckland, in latitude 34-32 and longitude 175-56 E., this vessel sprang a leak. Some oakum had worked out of the bottom of the centre-board casing. On arrival in Auckland the base of the centre-board casing was recaulked, and a 6 in. by 6 in. angle iron was fitted and jointed the whole length of the casing. On a trip from the Thames to Auckland, on the 28th May, 1911, this vessel went ashore in a fog off Motuihi Island. The vessel remained fast for two and a half hours and then floated off as the tide rose. On arrival in Auckland, after examination, she was found to have sustained no damage. On the 1st June, 1911, on the trip from Great Barrier Island to Auckland, two small holes were discovered in this vessel's hull below the water-line. On arrival in Auckland, after a survey of the plate, it was found the holes were caused by corrosion. The plate was otherwise in good condition. The holes were plugged up. On the 16th May, 1911, this vessel was on a voyage from Puponga to Foxton, and when proceeding up the Manawatu River she collided with the s.s. " Himitangi." The starboard side of the hull was cut into about 8 ft. forward from the break of the bridge, and the damage extended from the deck to the round of bilge. The vessel settled down by the head and took the ground in the bed of the river. Temporary repairs were made by a diver, and the vessel was pumped out and refloated on the 28th May. Necessary repairs were effected to enable vessel to make the trip to Picton, where permanent repairs were made. On 5th June, 1911, an outbreak of fire occurred in the 'tween decks as she was leaving Auckland for Limestone Island. A survey was made, when the vessel was found to have received no damage. .pril 8 S.s. Jane Douglas Nelson .pril 28 S.s. Strathendrick Wellington .ay 3, 4 S.s. Moana Port Chalmers and Lyttelton iay 5, 6, 9 S.s. Whakatane Auckland .ay 6 S.s. Himitangi .. Wanganui [ay 28 Kereru (ketch) .. Auckland S.s. Rotomahana Auckland lay 29 lune 2 S.s. Waitangi Auckland 'une 2 S.s. Wairau Foxton S.s. Haupiri r une 6 Auckland