WARATAH INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 795, 19 April 1910, Page 5

WARATAH INQUIRY.

EVIDENCE CONFLICTS,

"A COFFIN FOR SOMEBODY SOME

DAY." , ALLEGED BOTTEN BOATS. . By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. April 19, 1 a.m.) , Melbourne, April 18. The evidence taken in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide in connection with the loss of the Waratah (missing since July last), for forwarding to the Board of Trade, is of a conflicting character. Quality of Boat-Drill. A seaman, who made a voyage in the Waratah, gave evidence that he had been warned by other seamen not to join her. When in Adelaide he helped to paint two boats, and one was so soft and rotten that he could have pat his hand, through the wood at the bottom. The chief officer told them not to step too hard on the bottoms of the boots. Thej had ■ boatdrill once a week; they only took the covers off and never lifted the boats out of the chocks. The' Waratah rolled heavily, and recovered badly; there was difficulty in keeping her on an even, keel; Another seaman who joined the tah in London stated that when he asked the chief officer for a berth, the chief officer advised him bo get otlrer work if possible, because the Waratah would be a coffin for somebody some day. Witness declared that the steamer rolled badly, especially to leeward, and had a list dpring the/wholo voyage. A coal-trimmer who was examined expressed a belief that the Waratah was top-heavy. He had been told that trimmers in Sydney refnsed to trim her because she was- one-sided. i The Other Side, ' Other witnesses declared that there , was nothing unusual about the Waratah. They had heard the captain and officers express favourable opinions of the vessel's behaviour. .. • • '..}'■ The pilot at Williamstown deposed that when the Waratah left on her-last royage she had no list, and did not appear "tender." The captain and 1 the officers made no complaints.