TAINUI DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 14, 11 October 1919, Page 8

TAINUI DISASTER

THE NAUTICAL INQUIRY

EVIDENCE OF THE COOK

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, October 10. The nautical inquiry in connection with the. loss of the coastal steamer Tainui on September 15 was 'commenced at Lyttelton to-day, before Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.MiJ and .three assessors. _ Mr. Raymond, who appeared for the Minister of Marine, : said he. intended to submit to the Court the following questions:—(l) Whether the regulations regaining! the shipment and carriage at sea of petroleum were complied with; (2) whether duo care was exercised in the storage of the petroleum; (3) whether' the ship was safe and suitable for the conveyance Of the petroleum; N !i) whether the tins and crises containing the petroleum- were leaking so as to Tender it unsafe for the vessel to put • , to sea; and (5) whether the boat anjl life-saving - appliances were -efficient and available. j 'William Heri'iy. Famnd, cook on the Tainui, and the sole survivor, gave evidence that the benzine tins wefo leaking ■when he saw them, but he thought the cargo was well stored. Ho was awakened at haff-past. 2 o'clock on the _ morning of the disaster by three explosions, and going on deck found the fore ( hatches blown off and' enveloped' in flames. The : imaster gave orders to lower the boat, ond the engines were stopped. The boat ... was - swamped. No attempt was made to subdue "the flames, as tho master considered it useless to do' 60. The oargo .•.- 6eomed to be well stowed, and there was no likelihood of the ploughs shifting. There was very little swell on. the . sea - when the fire broke out. At 4 a.m. tho - After part of tlio ship was untouched by the fire. There was no boat drill . while he was in the ship. It was not possible that members of tho crefr had ■ lost their lives through the frail lifeline carrying away. The'oxpC'osiohs he heard sounded- as if coming from the ■ forward hatch. He could not swear that it was the bo\ler he heard blowing up. when he was in the water,, but Stevens, .the mate, said it was the boiler, i - Evidence similar to that given at the Inquest' was tendered bv r Sergeant Scott . and Captain William Williamson. The •' latter, in 'cross-examination, said that when in Wellington with the Tainui in . November last he received instructions from the Refrigerating Company to proceed to Wanganui in contravention of the davlight sailing regulation?! for the navi- ' Ration of Cook Strait. .The, Tainui latoured heavily in a sea 'fray. i-.vjjx. Young: How many degrees would she roll ? Witness: Oh, she would nearfy turn right Tound. To Mr. Buchanan: Logan refused to sail in the Tainui to Timara last March. ; . because he considered the boat was not seaworthy. . , The inquiry, which Was adjourned till ■ Monday, will probably extend over tho week. 'There are at least 27 'witnesses to "be called, but most of the evidence .-•■■ will be a repetition of that given at the Coroner's inquest.