INSPECTION OF VESSELS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2058, 1 May 1907, Page 2

INSPECTION OF VESSELS.

Press Association AUCKLAND, yesterday. ■ The Hon. Mr. Millar stated that ■ Mr. Duncan, Inspector of Machinery, _ is to make a personal inspection of every one of the steamers of the older class, both wood and iron, trading in Auckland harbor. The inspection will be commenced in 10 or 14 days, and he will report individually on every steamer and what repairs he thinks necessary for each. As far as the Department was concerned nothing would be wanted to see that the vessels were seaworthy. It was very hard for an outsider to say whether a ship was seaworthy', and oven ■with qualified men, certain portions might escape his notice. It was impossible to tap every rivet and find out if it was sound, and one weak chain-link would break tlio whole chain, and that defect might not be discovered until after. He did not think that it should be put down altogether as imperfect inspection, because no matter what system was adopted it was absolutely' impossible to find out whether every part of the ship was sound. One could only take the part most likely to be damaged, the parts whore the greatest strain existed, and watch them from time to time. He thought that after Mr. Duncan had made his inspection they would find that any repairs required would be carried out, and the boats made as seaworthy ns possible. Instructions would be given that when the hulls were of wood the inspector might call in a competent shipwright to advise him. The Department was endeavoring to see that the boats would bo put right if wrong, and kept right afterwards.