THE TAINUI DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 11, 8 October 1919, Page 9

THE TAINUI DISASTER

FURTHER EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST THEORIES REGARDING THE . , . EXPLOSION

By Telcuraph-Presß Atibclatlon. , ; ' Christchurch, Octoboi 7. ine inquest on tho T'ainui victims was resumed-to-day, ■ . - John 'M'lecd, engineer, gave evidence that on the Friday previous to tho disaster, Air. Greenwood, tho Tainui's engineer, asked him to send a -couple of men to clean out tho bilges, as Captaiii Wilcox, shipping master, required the work to bo done. Mr. Greenwood added that the condition of tho benzine cases had caused Captain Wilcox to order the cargo to be discharged from the fitter hold on tho Timaru trip. ,A\ iljiam Ro'bert Koskello,. apprentice, said ho and: his mate, Charles.KoskeUo, ■proceeded to clean tho bilges, bulkhead, end after hold. They did not go down to tho floor of tho ship. They found beimne, grease, and water in-the bilges. The fumes were "something awl'iit."- They cleaned the-greaso away,'so that-the bonzino and water could bo pumped out. The bilges had not been pumped drywhen the pumping stopped. Ho did not know who ordered the pumping to bo 6topped. When they left there wore still threo inches of water and benzine an-.the bilges. The fumes could escape to tho boilor and furnace, as there was a e-.ear 6pace between furnace and hold. There were holes in the lining of the after-hold, and the leaking benzine could easily, escape into tho bilge's. . - To Mr. Buchanan (counsel for owners): He used an electric light. The bilges when he finished were as dry as they usually are. .. ,

P. B, Carmichael, licensee of tho Royafl HoteC, Lyttelton, stated that Mr. Greenwood, tho engineer, seomed to be apprehensive that something was likely to happen, and asked witness to take charge of his month's wages. Later in the day Mr. Greenwood said he would wiro tho money to his niece at Palnierston North. Mr. Greenwood informed witness that he did, not like benzino cargoes, as benzine was likely to get into the, stokehold.

John Radcliffe and WiMiam. John Pring gave evidence as to the condition and stowage of tho cargo. The last-named «aid his theory regarding the' explosion vas that the nails in two cases might have been grinding against one another, causing a spark, which ignited the fumes, thus causing the explosion. A sudden jnrof some kind'could have caused the explosion.

Felix ." Newfield,' delegate at Lyttelton for the Seamen's Union, said he whs asked by the'crew'what'he'thought of the cargo, arid he replied that he would not go to sea in the vessel even if ho had only one loaf of bread in the cupboard and no prospect of getting another. 'I In hi 9 opinion, the vessel was .not suitabln for carrying benzine. His Tj'elief was that the explosion took place in the stokehold, and the reason that the two forward hatches, were blown off was that the fire ran ailong the bilge and the points of-least resistance, the hatches, were burst open. He did not think that ploughs weighing 13cwt, should have been •placed among the benzine cases. In the time that the Tainui was loaded sufficient care.could not have been taken to prevent a certain amount of cargo shifting. In the course of an explanation why ho had not ordered the men not to 'sail,' witness said that if he had delayed the ship till next morning they would have pumped the benzine over the side, and there would hav<* been no proof of danger to justify the delay. ; George ■ Smellie. a'.erk in the employ of tho Refrigerating Company, said that in consequence .of benzine leaking into the engineroom on tho previous trip repairs were carried out. When Captain Wilcox examined the' ship on Sontember 15 he said the repairs looked all right, but "tho proof of the pudding would be in the eating." Captain Wilcox also remarked that if there was any leakage on the Wanganui trip tho Tainui would take no more benzine from Lyttelton. Witness asked the mato the reason for putting-ploughs, in tho hold, and thelatter, replied that there wa9 room for them there.

Archibald Walker, surveyor for Lloyd's Register, expressed the. opinion that" insulated holds constructed like the Tainni's wero bettor fitted for carrying benEino than were ordinary woodon vessels which carried benzino from America to the Dominion, particularly so in connection with the division between the lioVls and the bilgo. T|io inquest was adjourned till tomorrow. *