H.—lsa

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No. 19.—Return of Vessels surveyed for Seaworthiness, etc. — continued.

Date of Survey. Name of Vessel. . Where surveyed: Nature of Casualty, &c. 1912. Oct. 11 O.e.v. Huanui .. Auckland On the 30th September, 1912, this vessel, when bound from Kaipara Harbour to Auckland, broke her propeller-shaft. The vessel continued her voyage under sail, and on arrival in Auckland a new propeller-shaft was fitted. This vessel struck a rock off Jackson's Head on the 11th October, 1912. She continued her voyage to Nelson and Wellington. An examination of the vessel was made at Wellington, when she was found to have sustained no damage. This vessel was coal-laden bound from Westport to Foxton, and on 30th September, 1912, she grounded at the North Spit at the entrance to the Manawatu River. After discharging part of her cargo she came off on the 3rd October, apparently undamaged. While proceeding up the river to Foxton she commenced to leak in the forehold to such an extent that the fore part of the vessel grounded in the river. Temporary repairs were effected, and the water was pumped out, enabling the vessel to proceed to Wellington. She was placed on the slip, where sheatbingplates were riveted over the damaged part of the hull. The rudder-shank was also straightened. On the 17th October, 1912, this vessel was coming alongside the Wool Wharf in Wellington Harbour when she struck H.M.S. " Pioneer's " boat-davits. Two of the hull-plates well above the water-line were cut through. These were repaired by having bolted patches fitted over them. On the 22nd October, 1912, during the trip from Wellington to Lyttelton, this vessel lost a blade from the starboard propeller. On arrival at Lyttelton the vessel was docked and a new blade fitted. On the 22nd October, 1912, when berthing at No. 7 wharf, Lyttelton, during a strong south-west gale, this vessel was blown out of her course up against the wharf. Two of the hull-plates on the starboard bow were fractured at the landings of the second and third strakes below the sheerstrake, 2 ft. from the stem. A sheathing-plate 3 ft. by 3 ft. by f in. was fitted over the damaged portion. During the latter part of October this vessel encountered a strong southerly gale between Newcastle and Auckland. During the gale she shipped a considerable amount of water which carried away the poop-ladder, damaged the ventilator, broke the spare propeller-lashings, and strained the poop-deck so badly that it commenced to leak. A new poop-ladder and new ventilator were fitted. The poopdeck was caulked where necessary. On the 29th October, 1912, this vessel was lying at the Taranaki Street Wharf, Wellington. When the s.s. " Ngatoro " was going alongside the " Surrey " the fluke of her anchor pierced the hull-plating of the " Surrey." A sheathing-plate 30 in. by 18 in. by f in. was riveted over the hole. About two miles south of Rocks Point, on a trip from Wanganui to Westport, on the 2nd November, 1912, this vessel's rudder-stock broke. She put into Nelson, where a new end of a larger diameter than the old one was welded on. Oct. 14 S.s. Pateena .. Wellington Oct. 14, 16 S.s. Gertie .. Wellington Oct. 17,18 S.s. Awahou Wellington Oct. 22 S.s. Maori Lyttelton Oct. 23 S.s. Poherua Lyttelton Oct. 29 S.s. Myra Fell .. Auckland S.s. Surrey Oct. 30 Wellington Nov. 4, 5 .. S.s. Putiki Nelson Nov. 9 S.s. Moana Wellington A crack developed in the bend of the main steam-pipe at the neck of pope-joint on the 2nd November, 1912, on the voyage from San Francisco to Wellington. Temporary repairs were effected at sea, which kept the pipe in position until the vessel made Wellington. A new pope-joint was fitted, and the pipe annealed and tested by hydraulic pressure to double the working-pressure before being placed on board. This vessel was lying at the Westport Wharf, on the 9th November, 1912, when the s.s. " Waipori" collided with her, denting the starboard bow-plating and loosening a number of rivets. The defective rivets were renewed and one gusset-plate was straightened. On the 28th May, 1912, when loading at New York for New Zealand, this vessel's bottom touched the ground. She was docked at Port Chalmers, when the following repairs were effected : Eleven of the floor-plates on the starboard side were renewed, seven of the floor-plates were straightened in position, and eleven hull-plates were cut out, straightened, and re-riveted in position ; three suctionpipes of the deck-pumps were renewed. After the above repairs were completed the ballast-tanks were tested by water-pressure. This vessel was proceeding from Lyttelton to Greymouth, on the 17th November, 1912, when the circulating-pump rod and foot-valve broke, and the pump-chamber cracked. The broken parts were taken out of the chamber, a blank flange was put over the stuffing-box on the cover, and the ballast donkey-pump was used for circulating purposes. The vessel then put into Wellington for repairs. A new chamber, foot-valve, and rod were made and fitted. S.s. Putiki Wellington Nov. 14, 15 Oct. 21; Nov. 7,14 S.s. Waltraute .. Port Chalmers .. Nov. 18, 20 S.s. Kittawa Wellington