WAIMARINO HELD UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1924, Page 1

WAIMARINO HELD UP.

CREW AFRAID OF HER, [HI' TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, March 10. Having discharged about 9000 tons of Newcastle coal for the Railway Department, 1110 Union Compitny’s freighter. Waitnarino, was ready to leave Lyttelton in ballast on Saturday evening for Newcastle, to load a further cargo of coal for New Zealand. Prior to sailing, the crew intimated that they considered tile ship unseawortliy unless the deep tank was emptied of a quantity of coal that the vessel wa» overca trying, and the tank.tilled with water, so as to weight, the vessel down and make her safe at sea. The vessel did not sail on Saturday night., as expected. The Union Company contends the Waimarino is quite safe to put to sen. She has: 311) tuns of coal left which would serve as a ballast, and there was no necessity why the coal should ho unloaded out of the deep tank, and the tank filled with water ballast. The reason for overeat'tying the remainder of the coal was because the vessel was wanted in a hurry in Newcastle. Otherwise the coal would have been discharged. However, as there was no time to complete the discharge, and as site was considered seaworthy, the company decided to disp-ateli her on Saturday, so as not to delay her over the week-end.

Speaking regarding the trouble, one of the firemen stated that the vessel when in l ; ght ballast, rolls very badly, and extreim'-'.v so. especially when there is a beam sea or a wind in which ease it is extremely hard to stand on the stoke-liold plates and there is a constant danger of getting burnt, not to mention danger of the vessel turning turtle. This morning. Lloyd's surveyor, ('apt.. C. A. Colon-,ia. and the Senior Government Chief Inspector of Afa,.hiucry. Air Bell, were engaged in examining the vessel. Ihe vessel is drawing 14ft. 7Jin. aft. and 9ft! 2in. in the forehead. Early this afternoon the l nion Coy. secured a certificate from l.loyd s Surveyor and the Chi,4 Government Machinery Inspector, certifying the AVaimnriim as nnseaworthy. The men were informed of this, but they still refused to take the vessel to sea.

The Union Company have now decided to prosecute the seamen and firemen or: summons. The case will he heard at the Alagistrate’s Court. Lyttelton to-morrow.