SHIPPING DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1929, Page 3

SHIPPING DISASTER

DUE TO" OVERLOADING. (Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, March 5 An enquiry has opened into the loss of the collier Annie Miller, on Febriary Bth, off Sydney. Counsel for the Superintendent of Navigation, declared the vessel was over-loaded, and had a list to port, and her hatches •were not properly covered. At the enquiry re the loss of the collier recently, John Tracey, second engineer, gave evidence that neither himself nor the chief engineer was satisfied with the condition off the vessel when she left Bulli. Witness asked the captain whether the hatches were to be covered by tarpaulins. When he learned they were liot, he replied, “Had I known that, the ship would never have left the jetty. The ship had a definite list, and was rolling lazily. When approaching Sydney Heads, the captain became alarmed, and ordered full speed ahead, but the vessels turned over on top of them off Bondi. Witness saw the captain .swept off the bridge. The crew floundered in the water. Some disappeared near the propellor. The majority had lifebelts. Other evidence was of similar chaiacter. The court found that the vessel sank owing to overloading, improper loading and absence off tarpaulins over the hatches.