GREYCLIFFE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1929, Page 8

GREYCLIFFE DISASTER

JUDGE’S COMMENT.

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, October 29

Expert evidence on the theory of interaction is now being given before Justice Halse Rogers in the Admiralty Court, which is hearing a £30,000 claim against the Union Company arising from the Greycliffe disaster in November, 1927.

The Judge announced he had read a large portion of the technical evidence given by Sir John Biles on interaction and there was a complete divergence of opinion among highly qualified gentlemen on either side, one of whom said there were certain wave influences from an overtaking vessel and that the Greycliffe was never in the sphere of any influence which would turn her, while the other set of witnesses held that the raising of the water at the head of the ship would cause a pressure of water which would have the effect of turning the vessel. Defendants, inorebver, claimed it was impossible to make any experiments of any value.. The Judge added that in the circumstances “ I am still in a state of openmindness.”

.Mr Manning, K.C., counsel for Sydney Ferries, Ltd., the plaintiffs, obtained the consent of the Court to 'four representatives of the Ferry Coy. going aboard the,Tahiti on her outward voyage on Thursday, in order that they might make certain observations from the bridge and engineroom, while the vessel was steaming down the harbour, on condition that the Tahiti should he handled'under instructions from the pilot. ■■! • The Judge pointed out that it would be difficult at the same time to provide a vessel of the Greycliffe’s size for this demonstration, owing .to the danger of a “ hitch ” occurring.