WRECK OF THE PAREORA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 16, 14 October 1919, Page 5

WRECK OF THE PAREORA

"LOST BY CARELESS NAVIGATION."

■The Marine Board at Adelaide has given its decision in connection with the wreck of the steamer Pnreora at Althorpe's Island on September 18. The board found that tho actual cause of tho disaster could not be ascertained, but it was ceijflin that it was not attributable to any failure of the ungines or the steering gear of- the ship. A light of • tho iirst order, with hectors exhibited from Althorpe's Island, and visible for a distanco of 25 miles, was seen when tiie ship wus off Cornej Point, but the lamentablo fact that none r.f the navigating officers were saved made it impossible to obtain' any definite particulars as to the navigation of the. ship when approaching danger. In the circumstances the board could only find that the ship was lost through careless navigation in 'running too far in the white sector. The evidence disclosed that the master had undergone a severe operation at Port Pirie shortly beforo sailing, and was probably suffering therefrom, and physically unable to carry 011 as a 'man. in good health would. The. first mate, who was on duty ot the time of the disaster, had only recently ibeeifTippointed to.tho"vessel, and had no local knowledge. Seven 1 urvivors were unanimous in their evidenco that the lifebelts, which were "of tho latest Board cf Trade type, proved most unsatisfactory in actual use in a seaway, principally, through a defsctire mode of fastening tiiem to the body.