FATALITY IN SHIP'S HOLD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 45, 9 March 1937, Page 5

FATALITY IN SHIP'S HOLD

— Prese Aasociatxon.)

Man Killed By 15-Cwt. Steel Beam

(By Telegraph

WELLLINGTON, This Day. The (foroner, Mr GHbertson, ' reserved liie verdiet in the inquest upon Gordon Hector Manning who died on March 3 from injuries received when struck by a 15-cwt steel beam which fell into the hold of the Durham, but intimated that, as civil priceedings no doubt would follow, the verdiet would be an open one. Evidence was given that when an empty tray was being hoigted from the hold the hook unshipped beam and the beam and hatch-covers fell about 60 feet into tbe hold. The question at isuue is whether the beam was secured by bolts, and evidence was given with a view to suggesting tbat it was secured and the end only and that the end showed a rupture mark. The winchman said he had earlier complained and asked that the forward sections of the hatch should be lifted, but the boatswaip replied that this was never done. Another winchman sajd he saw the corner of the empty wooden tray catch the unbolted end of the beam and lift it up. The bean fell back, missed the slot and wrenched out the bolt in the other end. Counsel asked that, in the vent of the finding making any reflection 011 the master or ehief officer, he might be given an opportunity of calling both. The ship was being worked by nonunion men and one who had given evidence said that, had there been unionists among them, they would have seen that everything was secure before starting work as they were more experienced.