DEFECTIVE DESTROYERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1081, 21 March 1911, Page 5

DEFECTIVE DESTROYERS.

AUSTRALIAN VESSELS OUT, OF ORDER. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyrieht Melbourne, March 20. The Federal Government is communicating with the Admiralty architects with reference to the defects in the destroyers' steering gear. New steering engines are to be obtained from England; EXPERTS NONPLUSSED. (R£c. March 21, 0.5 a.m.) Melbourne, March 20. The experts are completely puzzled as to the cause of the destroyers' defects. Alterations have been made in the steering gear, but without effect. The engineers aro carefully examining each part to try and discover the cause of the trouble. It is stated that similar difficulties have occurred in the same class of boats in England. .

DISAPPOINTMENT IN SYDNEY. (Rec. March 21, 0.5 a.m.) Sydney, March 20. Owing to the defects in the destroyers' steering gear the visit to Sydney has been postponed. Great preparations had been made for an official welcome on Wednesday and there is much disappointment at the postponement of the visit. It will be remembered that when the destroyer Yarra was entering Port Phillip Heads in December last, Engineer-Lieu-tonant Robertson lost his life while examining the rudder of the vessel, which was not working satisfactorily. He overbalanced and fell into the sea, striking his head against some obstacle as. he did so.