THE INDRADEVI.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 859, 4 July 1910, Page 2

THE INDRADEVI.

INQUIRY REGARDING THE FIRE. PROCEEDINGS QFENED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 2. A Nautical Com l ., consisting of Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., Professor D. Brown, ■.Hid Captain 11. .1. Kccil, 'opened an inquiry into the, cause of the fire on the steamer Imlradevi on Juno 22. Jlr. Wothorill, surveyor, expressed the opinion that the fire originated <in the 'tween decks forward, on tho starboard side. Captain Wilkie stated that the Indradevi commenced discharging on the morning of Juno 21, from Nos. 1 and i holds. There was no sign of fire at 11 p.m. Tho cargo in No. 1 hold in the 'tween decks had iiot been touched that day. The 'tween decks were completely full of cargo, and there was no chance of a. man' getting in or out except by way of tho door in tho bulkhead dividing the forecastle from tho main deck. The chief officer was responsible for tho key of tho door, which was secured on the night of tho fire. The insulation consisted of ten inches of charcoal enclosed in two-inch whito pine boards. Electric lights only were used when discharging cargo, tile current being suuplied by a cable from the dynamo in such a position that it could not come into contact with the cargo. There were no wires to cause fusion. The chief officer gave the alarm at 1.30 on the morning of the 22nd. Smoke, was issuing from No. 1 hold, and it appeared to witness that the seat of tho fire was in the insulation below the main deck. The smoke was more in the nature of clicking fumes. Captain Wilkes said an examination after the fire showed that it originated in the vicinity of tho oaint' locker, but there was nothing to show that the lire came from the paint locker. Waste oil was bound to be about, and some was spilt through tho rolling of tho vessel on voyage. It was possible for a little water and oil to get into the insulation, but not probable. Witness made an investigation of tho floor of the oil locker, but did not see any crack in the plates. Ho estimated the damage to the steamer at i'Booo, exclusive of tho damage to the cargo. Charles Meillsy, chief officer, also gave evidence. The inquiry was then adjourned till Monday.

THE SHIP'S DETENTION. A.\ T APPEAL TO THE MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, July 2. A joint meeting of members of the Chamber of Commerce and importers or cargo by the Indradevi was held this morning to consider the question of protesting against the decision to discharge that vessel's damaged cargo, and to effect repairs in Auckland, instead of sending the steamer south as soon as possible. Mr. D. MTherson (president of, the Chamber of Commerce) moved:—"That this'meeting of members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce and consignees of cargo by the Indradevi strongly urge the Minister for Marino to authorise tho steamer to proceed south, as the action of the government surveyor, in objecting to this procedure, is contrary to tho advice ot tlio underwriters' surveyor and tho officers of the steamer, and her detention would result in serious loss to consignees. Mr. H. L. Papley, chairman of the Marine Underwriters' Association in Otago, explained the position, and stated that if they could not get the Government surveyor to remove his embargo tho only course open was to take delivery of southern cargo, or else tranship into coastal steamers. That would mean extra freight,.and would have.lo be paid on some - cargo '.that--was- perhaps:'absolutely worthless owing to the tire. Great inconvenience would also be caused to consignees, as they would not know what cargo they were going to receive, nor in what condition it would be, and sogtuey could not repeat their indents to the* Old Country. According to tho insurance surveyor, the ship could, by temporary repairs, be made seaworthy enough to como south. Mr. Cure produced a letter from Captain Plunket, surveyor of the Marine Underwriters' Association, in which he said:-—"I was informed that the only repairs anticipated at Auckland were the reconditioning of the crews' quarters, which would not take more than two or thrco days to carry out. Under these circumstances, I am of opinion that, provided the ship could' deliver her cargo quickly, it was .better to leave the damaged southern cargo in the vessel than to incur transhipment charges, doublo handling, etc." Mr. Patcrson. said that his firm had sent a message to the office of the Tyser Lino at Napier saying that a meeting wn.i to bo held, and the following reply had been received-.—"We are anxious to deliver southern cargo as soon as possible, and I have offered. contractors for refitting tho crews' quarters. We will accommodate and feed his men if repairs can bo completed whilst the Indradevi is at sea and discharging at southern ports. We hope to induce the inspector to allow her to proceed as soon as the main deck has become repaired." . Mr. Dcunison said that he understood that the Christchureh people would work with Dunedin in this matter, llr. Tapley paid that that was so. Both proposals were carried unanimously, and,' before lunch, a message ,was wired to tho Hon. J. A. Millar embodying tho resolution, and concluding thus:— "The matter involves very serious consequences to consignees and under- - writers. The southern cargo, according to our advices, is rapidly and hourly deteriorating, and, should it remain till the ship's repairs have been completed in Auckland, as now contemplated, much of the cargo will reach Dunedin altogether destroyed and useless. The alternative is that the consignees must pay transhipment freight (probably 10s. per ton), which is a serious addition to tho cost of the cheap and rough lines of which the cargo largely consists. The consignees fed their position strongly, and urge that the Government should endeavour to meet their reasonable request that the steamer should bring down her cargo after only necessary repairs have been effected." Telegrams were also sent to Christchurch and Wellington advising as to what has been done.