RIPPLE ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1924, Page 4

RIPPLE ENQUIRY.

WELLINGTON, September 10.

A Magisterial enquiry into the loss of the .steamer Ripple is being held. Mr Riddell. S-M. presiding with Captains ]•'. AY. Eaton and \Y. Muir as assessors.

Air I'renderviile, opening for the Marine Department, said that some rather hysterical statements had lieen ma lx, and suggestions put forward. It was not the function e.f the present Court to go into .such matters. No doubt the Department would take such measures as it thought fit to have :t full inquiry as to the avoidance cd' similar disasters.

.Air (I’ltegau for several widows of the men lost, said that he did not think it wise to issue prohibitions ns to the evidence in the enquiry which was really'in the nature of a coroner s inquest. It was desirable to ascertain ad fads.

Air Ridh'll said that there were no doubt other matters, but until there was a proper order of reference if was doubtful whether the present court should go into the other matters. The court of enquiry was bound by the Shipping and Seamen's A< l. Evidence was then called,.

AYilliani Hcnery, Inspector ol Alachiuc'iy. .Marine Department, stated that he made tin:* hist survey ol the Ripple in September. lO'd.’i. from the dlh to 2."ith day. The whole of the .‘chip was in good seaworthy condition; only two minor repairs were necessary. The hull was thoroughly examined. A new shoe in the .stem was required. The boilers were in fair condition. A patch bail to lie put on the' vessel. The engine and boilers were built, in |<)!)2. The machinery would l e examined every year by the Department. Harold Fletcher Tomlinson. : nrveyur of .ships. Marine Department, who made a survey of the l!i| pie with the' previous witness, said that the ship was in very good order. ’lbis applied to the boats and the life-saving apparatus. Hrovi-ioiis were' renewed in the bunts, and compasses were adjusted, f-'evenjeeii new hatches were made and boat drill was taken. Tomlinson continued that an exhaustive examination had been made cl the vessel since' September. 11)2(5. He' examined her mi August 0. On the afternoon she left on the last voyage, the starboard side of the decks, lore and aft. was blocked with deck cargo. He did not notice whether the vessel had a list. So far as he knew she was a full ship in Hie holds. It was quite pes-nnb' that with the sinrh.inrd v.tle blocked with deck cargo, and the portside fairly clear, she would have a fairly decent li-t. lie did nut kmnv whether the' Ripple had hnlhist tanks lo put her on a fairly even keel. Re did not inspect any sails on the '-hip. as she was a lull-] nwered steamship. He dill not see a sea anchor on the ship. In the event ol a breakdown in machinery, on a steamer v. itlmul sail or s.-a aie hor, she would probably lull ini i a treugh 1 f son. he heiple.-s ami roll heavily.

11l reply to a question whether a heavy sea would he 1 liable to slave in the hatches cf a ship in that position, witne*s said that it «a; quite pnssi de. The Ripple carried two boats, a lifeboat ami surlhoat. ’I lie last was a heavy boat. She had an oil engine, lie t nought it was |:i.s- : li!c, with a Il ew like lim Ripple had. lo put a surf boat into the water by hand. To Air Stevenson: AVitne-s .-aid that the dock cargo of the Rip; le vas I.P, tons by measurement. lie old md say w hat it was by weight. It would l-e about !!’. or 10 lons. All Ihe 'lew were ex|e:t at handling herds. If the

sc I- had Mimshe ! in the lint If s, .he would expe. t the cargo to conic ashore. ||c would have noticed a decided list had there been none. AYFI.I.INCTON. September 10.

At the Ripple inquiry, "videllce of I e lighl hull'-"!.coper at f':i|o I’: 1 11 i .<• !' "as I hat he saw tlm Rip| lo making lor t I CV; 1 ■ again I a Icl \ Ileal \ soiitlmrlx gale. She lla.lie.l an N.O.N. Ircquont Iv and asked that a tug he sent, a- she was in difficulty. lb' (the keeper) immediately phoned Wellington. ami was informed that a steamer would In' .sent out as soon as possible. AI im lie sent that, and the' snsv.cr ailin' hack, Im .suddenly mis.scd llm ship. Other witnesses .said that when the Ripple left, the wind was strung, but they thought the worst part, would he al the' Heads, which Ihe .steamer passed safely.