THE DEFENDER FIRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 276, 10 August 1918, Page 8

THE DEFENDER FIRE

INQUIRY CONCLUDED

THE MATTER OF THE LIGHT

QUESTIONS FOR THE COURT

The inquiry into the loss by fire on August i of the steamer Defender was concluded yesterday. Tho Court consisted of Mr. W. G. lliddell, S.M. (President), Captain Lambert, and Dr. ii. H. Maclaurin. Mr. J. Prendeville represented tho Crown, Mr. M. Myers the owners of cargo, Mr. C. H. hard tho Harbour Board, Mr. .1. G Bruce the waterside workers, Mr A. W. Blair tho owners of tho vessel (tho Westlaml Shipping Co.), and Mr. W. T. Young tho seamen.

James M'Vey snid thut ho was working at the Defender on tho day of the fire, and tho captain told him there wero some holes in tho bulkhead to be plugged. Witness could see three, two of which he plugged with bolts and the othera with ii piece.of wood. Subsequently witness was employed assisting the engineer at the stern of tho vessel, and he did not know what became of the lamp that was in ilio engine,room when he was there. He could say, however, that ho left the iaiup there, because it was still needed. He was on deck when he saw the men "bolting." and ho called to his mate: "I think she's afire!"

By Mr. Myora: It was about 8.30 in the morning when he plugged the holes. He had noticed a sliding door in the bulkhead, but ho did not know if there had been any holes in that door. By Mr..Bruce: The eliding door was a tight-fitting door. By Mr. Blair: The ashes removed from the stokehold, ho p.ut on the wooden deck, but they wero dead out and wet. Ho did not notice any smell of benzine in the stokehold or in the engine-room. The Light. Tho engineer, Prank L. Petersen, was recalled by the Court. The President remarked that in his previous evidence witness* had said that he had been working in the stern of the vessel with a light in tho morning. What time, he asked, did witness finally leavo Hie engineroom? Witness said that it would probably hnvo been a. lit Ho after 10 a.m. The President: What became of (ho light? Did you put it out? Witness: I did not put it out. The President: Well, the fireman stales also that he did not; put it out. Aro wo to understand that the light was just left tbcTC? Witness: I no not know. The President: Do you know anything of the dangers of carrying benzine in the hold? Witness: I do not. Mr. Prendeville stated that the Crown had no more evidence to offer. The President nskod if the Corwn proposed to amend or add to the. questions put. lo the Court. Mr. Myers said .(lint ho did not think it was sufficient for tho Court merely lo find whether certain parties wero to blame. In tho interests of the public I tho Court, should hi> asked what, tho cause of the fire vas, and if (he vessel was fit for carrying such a cargo. Mr. Bliiir said that the hitter question referred lo a private mailer, and that Mr. Myers had a-certain reason for asking it. Mr. Myers replied that if was not a private matter, but one of public concern. Mr. Frenilovilln said that ho would add a quest ion as to tho cause of the fire, but would not touch on the question of the suitability of the vessel. Mr. Yountr thought the Court should make something in the nature, of a recommendation with a view to preventing u recurrence of such an accident. •The. President: The Court frill bo prepared to make certain representations with regard to matters which aro not mentioned in the notice.Mr. Bruce: I suggest that the Wellington' Harbour Board be added lo that question, to see if they took adequate precautions. The President said I hat in the course of its decision '.ho Court would go into that. , , , ~ Mr. Blair said that ho proposed to call evidence, and he would go on the presumption that the benzine cargo was leaking. He would presume that bcn 7 zinc had got out of the cases and caused the presence o£ inflammable benzine gas. He called ' Albert Aucher, master \stevedore, who wns about' the Defender at the time of tho fire. Witness snid that he heard two distinct explosions. With benzine oar»oes there was always some leakage. On'account of the risks with benzine, cargoes a certain oversea company would not have vessels with fire alongside their ships. _ ■ , Hubert L. Nathan, of Bannatyne. and Co., agents for the Defender, said that ho was approached by another firm and asked if ho would have a cargo ot benzine carried to Lyttelton. It wns agreed to do this, and arrangements were made, so that all fires should be out, but there wns no mention about, lights. Witness gave instructions accordingly. Tho President: Were you satisfied that the Defender was a suitable vessel to carry benzine? . Witness: Yes. -She-carried it before. Mr. Myers: Full cargo? Witness: Part cargo. The President: In the hold? ' The' President: What quantity of benzine had she carried previously? Witness: It would probably go up to 700 or 800 eases. The President: How long ago.' Witness: Some months back. Mr. Myers: This was a full cargo t|o other day? Witness: Yes. Mi-. Myers: l''our thousand enses? Tho President said that tho Court would consider the evidence.: and give its decision at 10.30 this morning.