RIPPLE DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1924, Page 4

RIPPLE DISASTER.

FINDING OF COl'llT OF ENOCH: Y. WELLINGTON. September Judgment was given till Saturday in the .Magisterial c.K|llirv into the loss o title steamer dipole with all hands on the morning of the 7th August last. .Mr W. O. Hidd.'l. S.M., who presided with Captains Huron and .Muir as assessors. delivered the decision o| the (’nul l : The ( otirt lon ml hrielly : - Thai the Hippie was ill a seaworthy condition when A". |oli curt : and her cargo properly and solely slow "I; that the deck cargo was cciisidcrnhly less I hail that allowed by regulation and it was securely lashed. That the vessel was well found and manned hy expericin 1 olliicis and

'I hat lie- we.ii'her e-imliin-ns were i lint of such severity as (n warrant ( upturn N irling ih-layin ; his departnre- Irelc. Wcl|iiigtnii. The Court mn•adcrcd that Canlain Norling was jtlstilied in proceeding to sea. The Ceiirt was of Ihe opinion that alter being advised nl the vessel s need , for belli all reas,. liable Mens wciel taken by 11 asked to lender assis- . tam e to tbe distressed vessel, but t lie heavy weather eonditi ns and low visibility pi ei oik *d an v vessel arriving;' at Cane I’all.'ser in time to save either I the Hippie or the crew. The Court found it impossible I" say j de!iniie| v what causes < oiilrihuted to. the loss of the vessel, hut the facts pointed to some part id her maehinerv being disabled when near Cape I’alliser, and suffering from this handicap I she was eventually overwhelmed by the heavy seas.

The Court dealt at length with certain suggestions nl the Seamen : l * ii ion.