LOSS OF THE DEFENDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1918, Page 3

LOSS OF THE DEFENDER.

NAUTICAL ENQUIRY COMPLETED [rER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON August 9. Tho inquiry into the destruction bj fire of the steamer Defender was concluded to-day. James Myvey, fireman on the vessel, said that ho had been instructed by tho Captain to fill some rivet holes in the bulkhead. Tie could only find three and bolted up two of tho biggest, but not getting a bolt- to fit the other he plugged it with wood. He did not have a lamp. He afterwards went to work with the engineer right astern. They had a house lamp. .When taking out the ashes he noticed that they were cold and wet. Captain Dawson, Harbourmaster, recalled, said that he was told that the Defender had been towed alongside tho oilship and that flic fires were out. He naturally though that that meant all the fires. While on the way to the Defender he was told that the vessel was afire.

Frank Peterson, engineer, recalled, said that when he loft the oneine-rom about 10 o’clock a liglit was still there Ho did hot anticipate danger from the use of the light. Albert Archer, master stevedore, expressed the opinion that on tho day of the fire, tho draft on tho vessel would be from aft- to tho forecastle. Thero were two distinct, explosions. It was inevitable that thero would he some leaky cases in the cargo of petrol. The inquiry has closed.