Engineer Still Absent From Holmlea Inquiry

Chronicle (Levin), 12 April 1949, Page 6

Engineer Still Absent From Holmlea Inquiry

Press Assoctation)

(Per

WELLINGTON, April 11. Efforts to pump water from the stokehold on the 'Holmlea when she was north of Westport on the night of Eebruary 19, were described to the Nautical Court today. The Court is inquiring into the eause of the flooding of the stokehold of the vessel. After. being. towed into Westport she was foundsound. The Court comprised Mr. McLachlaju, S.M.,- two engineer assessors, Messr.s; E. A. -Grifaths and, A. McDouga.ll, andi a nautical assessor, Captain • A. ,s h, Howie. Counsel . aye Mr. H,,R. Bjiss, for the Marine . Department,- Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, K.C., with him Mr. A. Macalister, for the second and .-third- engineers, captain and deck officers, ..M./* W. H. Cunnin'gham for the owners. of the Holmlea, the Holm Co., afld Mr. P. C.'P. McGavin for the chief engineer, Mr: Patrick Delaney. The third engineer, Denis James^Dorrian, said he had no trouble with the bilge pump in the noon to 4 p.m. watelu .The bilges were reasonably dry when the watch ended. If there was 24 tons of water in the biles at 6 p.m. he could not explain how it got there — it must have been through a pretty big hoie. Two firemen, Raymond Noel Morgan apd William Thomas Lloyd, described the rise of water in the stokehold and efforts made to keep the fires going. Morgap. said the trouble arose during the chief engineer 's watch. This waun was not handed over in the proper state. Three ships' surveyors are among the witnesses who will be called when the inquiry continues tomorrow. The chief engineer, Patrick Delaney, who failed to appear when called this morning, again was npt present when called in the afternoon.