THE TAINUI INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 22, 21 October 1919, Page 5

THE TAINUI INQUIRY

EVIDENCE REGARDING VESSEL'S IMiIiATION THE DAYLIGHT SAILING REGULATIONS By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Octolx-'r 20. At the Tainui inquiry, Jiunes Powell, who was an engineer on the Tainui up to November lust, said the insulation was poor. He had seen damaged parts packed with wood from kerosene cases. The Tainui was not suitable for carrying benzine; the carrying bilge running for« and alt was absolutely dangerous with benzino cargoes. Witness wrotj direct to the company, calling attention to tho state of the ufterbold, which was dangerous from a hre point of view. Witness found the complaints were not attended to. He knew that one branch shipping manager did not forward to the head olHeo fi letter of complaint by witness and another engineer, tho main reasons given being that the manager did not consider it necessary tliat tne ro; trigeraling machinery on the Tainui should be first class. He thought pumien was used in the Taiuui's insulation, which was not the same as that on exhibition in Court. Thft bulkhead dunr leading into the engine-room was not partiaiiy adjusted until he put bolts m, and for a period lie packed the sides fi t' tho door with oakum. He did not report as to the danger subsequently, because lie considered complaints would not bo heeded.

Witness, continuing, said the letter that had not been forwarded to the hewl oilico referred to the wages of firemen and similiters. AVitness ivas the only peison ill:the Tainui's engine-room, and when lie rested on a trip the fireman in charge. 'l'lie Bench announced its intention of visiting the wreck in order to ascertain what the insulation of the holds consisted of, and how it was constructed. l'owell said that the model (produced) of a section of the insulation of the bulkheads was not correct. In reference to the allegations made by certain captains employed in the ii,kfrigerntiii" Company's vrewls that they were ordered to sail through Cook Strait by night whilst the daylight sailing regulations were lit force, Air. Haymow! produced tiie official log book of the Jlaua, one of the company's vessels. This showed that tlio Mann had frequently sailed through Cook Strait _ by night whilst the- regulations were in force. As far as could be ascertained the Taimn had also sailed through tiie Strait by night on sovcral occasions. The president: What the Bench cannot understand is why the .Marine Department did not take action in ihis matter. .. Alexander A. Bickerton, Government Amilvst, stated that the materials of which tliß holds of the Tainui were constructed made the holds unsuitable for the carnage of benzine. The materials wero inflammable and absorbed benzinetwo fatal objections. Neil D. Hood, Oovernmcnt Surveyor of Ships, said he surveyed tho Tninut at Lyttelton on May 1 last. She was built of first-class material, was well constructed and sound, as also was the insulation. Ho considered that the disaster ' had occurred through benzine fumes getting into the confined space between the insulation and the skin of <.be ship. As tlio Tainui had ueon carrying benzine prior to the disaster it was P l ' oo ' ablo that liquid benzine 'uul soaked through the insulation and vaporised; the fumes would then move towards an outlet under the bulkhead and into tho hunkers. He was of opinion that after the (ires had been cleaned out on the morning of the disaster the tools used, which would ho red hot, were put between the boiler and the bunker, with tho red-hot end resting on the plate ot the door. This red-hot point would ignite the benzine vapour with which it fame in contact. The fire would unss through the timbers to the bilges along under the forward hold and an explosion would probably take place in the confined space under the hold. Tlio inquiry was adjourned till tomorrow. Tiie visit to the Tainui will tako placo when the hearing of evidence has been concluded.