THE BESSA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 180, 25 April 1919, Page 5

THE BESSA

EXAMINATION MADE OF INTERIOR INQUIRY HELD . The interior o'f the. fore hold of the, (teanier Eessa was yesterday examined by the Wellington surveyor to Lloyd's JJegister (Mr. A. Walter). -No further damage tftan that already found from the survey of thejnill in.the vicinity of the ■ damaged part reported, on by the diver was discovered. All precaution for the safety of the ship is, however, being, taken, and'it has been decided that the whole of the vessel's bottom should be examined. . Two. ! divors went down early yesterday afternoon, and commenced the work. All tlio damage found was on the port, side of No. 1 hold, above the. ballast tank. Several plates were dented, thirty rivets were started, oiit of the seams, and a few frames wore fractured. It is expected that temporary repairs-will take -tei\ days to complete. Ihe repairs will lie made as the vessel lies at her berth. When the Besjsa .has' finished discharge in Australia she will go into dock, and remanent repairs will be made. There am no leaks in the other holds, and it is not considered likely that the divers will find further serious damage. . Court of Inquiry. A Consular Court was- held yesterday morning by the Norwegian Consul at Wellington (Mr. A.' W. Newton) to inquire into the cause of. the accident to the Bessa. The proceedings were held in camera before Mr.'Newton, who had with him the following.assessors:—Captain P. A. Petersen, marine superintendent at Wellington for the Richardson Company, Napier, Captain .Carl'A. Lmdberg, master (if 1 the Norwegian barque Titania, and Captain C, 11. Nystrom, master of the Swedish ship Transoce.ui,' Mr, Archibald - Walker, Lloyd's surveyor, was also present in his official capacity. , Mr. Newton later informed a Dominion" reporter that the evidence of Captain A. D. Arnesen and his deck ; officers' was taken and also that of the chief engineer, the Quartermaster, the : look-out man, and the helmsman. . The log-book was examined, and the course of the ship from outside the Heads- was clicked. Mr. Newton said that the latter was found to bp correct, and the vessel after striking tho' rock did not stop, but steamed on up the entrance to the harbour. The court was not Miipowered to ifiake a finding, which ~ could 'only.be dono by the Norwegiain Government ou the evidence heard yesterday. . The local agents, Messrs. Dalgetv and Company, Ltd., announce that a general average of 5 per cent, on the value 'of- the carso is the Bessa has been struck, and delivery of the Wellington goods will shortly be made. Consignees .must present tho original invoices, fill up valuation forms, and sign the average bond. In exchange for the bills of lading, delivery orders for cargo will be given.