PECULIAR CASE OF H.M.S. TORCH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1593, 9 November 1912, Page 4

PECULIAR CASE OF H.M.S. TORCH.

■ ■■■ ..■ '■ a. ~. ■ ■ COMMANDER'S VERSION. (Br (Eolegraph,-J?r.eßs Association.) Auckland, November 8. Commander' Le HflUte Ward, of H'.M.S, Torch, interviewed regarding .statement? gabled concerning the vesssl, said that when the Torch Was posted to the wservo at Sydney, five or six y«tp.afi*>, it was generally' understood that the. vessel would bo turned into a hulk. Those, responsible postponed the overhauling of the vessel tern year to year. This was Winked at by the official eye, with tho result that when instructions wero Miblcd . for the Torch to bo reopWffiissioned to replace the Pegasus in the TPriendly Islands there was consternation, in New South Wales naval circles. Tho Torch was certainly docked,, but only for the time for a hurried adjustment orthe Machinery and to effect. repairs absolutely necessary. .-■'.,. tt « o At the beginning of lust.year H.JI.S. Torch left Sydney, and proceeded to the Istanda. All went well until nearing the end Of tho 1700-mile tour, when'the propeller, shaft snapped. The vessel was 'towed to Sydney by H.M.S, Psyche. This necessitated a full report of tho vessels condition, and as a result . ail inquiry is to be hold* tegarding tho condition of ! tho vessel when slic put to sea from' SydComraondor Ward is of tho opinion that the inquiry should be held in Australia. Tho vessel has. how been thoroughly overhauled.