DEFECTIVE CHAINS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1936, Page 6

DEFECTIVE CHAINS

ABEL TASMAN 'WRECK

HARBOURMASTER'S VIEW

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

GREYMOUTH, August 8.

Replying to counsel at today's pro-1 ceedings of the inquiry into the loss of (he Abel Tasman, the harbourmaster, Captain Cox, stated that to his knowledge three vessels had broken away at Greymouth during flood-time, namely, the Taupo, the Oniana, and the Abel Tasman. The present mooring system had always been adopted. The flood on July 18 was not enough to cause concern. The trouble really was due to defects in the ship's chains. He suggested that when a second cable was put out, a 4J-inch steel wire mooring line should be used instead of an.anchor chain, and that the port anchor remain shackled to the chain ready for instant use. A special steel wire line should be kept on the ship for mooring. He also suggested an ! extra turn around the mooring posts. He did not favour the practice of slackening the stern moorings and alI lowing the ships to ease out from the wharf as it led to shoaling of the berthage. The Abel Tasman was moored as well as possible.

Captain Henry Moar, deputy harbourmaster, stated that on July 18 he instructed the Kaimai to put out a second cable. The moorings of the Abel Tasman complied with the requirements. He was told that steam was handy at a pressure of 1601b. Witness did not consider it necessary to use the ship's engines with a current of eight knots, but was in favour of using them when the current was 10. knots. There was a danger to the propellers from logs when the engines were running. There was no objection to the propeller just turning over. A similar system of mooring was in vogue at Westport.

T. D. C. Milne, harbour engineer, stated that the cause of the Omana's breakaway last year was the failure of a crystallised shackle. The Kaponga wreckage was 115 feet north of the centre of the navigable channel and there was ample room for vessels if they kept to the course indicated by the beacons.

The evidence has concluded, and counsel will address the Court on Monday.