CAPTAIN DEFIED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1930, Page 6

CAPTAIN DEFIED

UTIMATUM FROM OFFICERS

SYDNEY, Feb. 7

Only by practically delivering an ultimatum to the captain of the Lueiston were officers able to deter him from his professed purpose of taking the vessel on to Japan after she had been seriously damaged on a reef near Ocean Island. \ This was the extraordinary statement made when that vessel limped into Rnsbane on Thursday in tow of the tug Coringa. The Luciston, a British u ra in]), was made last to a buoy at Ocean Island, hut a storin' cast her iidrift, and she ran ashore on a reef, being cast broadside on the coral. She uas damaged from stem to stern.

The ship was refloated, and her en jrines were set at full speed to counteract the drifts, hut we stern struck the reef again and it was found that the stern frame had been damaged and the rudder was not answering accurately. According to one officer, interviewed on arrival at Brisbane, Captain McDonald was adamant in his intcnbioi; to take the vessel to Japan, despite the damage. The officers thereupon held a meeting and decided to present their united views in a special statement to the captain. “Although the statement was respectful in language, it was tantamount to an ultimatum, ns there was intuition of an appeal to the Board of Trade in London if Captain McDonald persisted in taking the ship to Japan.”

However that may he, the vessel was turned for the Australian coast, the officers having assured the captam that they and the crow would give him every assistance in that direction. In defence of their action the officers pointed out tliat even when they were making for Australia engine trouble developed, owing to tlie strain on the boilers, and it was possible to make only four to six knots for most of the journey.

Captain McDonald, who is a wellknown British master, was interviewed when the vessel berthed, hut he declined to comment in any way upon tne action of his officers find crew. There is sure to be a reference to the Board of Trade or some other high snipping authority of this case, and Australian shipping circles arc awaiting .the decision with more than ordinary interest.