PROGRESS INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1931, Page 6

PROGRESS INQUIRY

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON May 19

At the Progress inquiry, Ka-nerra, second mate, continuing his evidence, ■said there had been no difference in the revolutions of the engines since the mishap at Wanganui. He remembered the mate telling him that the ship was going on the slip for inspection.

' Mr Walsh: In your opinion, as a practical seaman, do you think there was any reason why the Toia should not have come back and picked up the second messenger you put out? ness: I think she could hiavle. To Captain Worrall, witness said that if they had had a staysail, it might have got them just past the point and into the bay that they were making for. William Evans, able seaman, member of the crew of the Progress, said tlmt a few minutes after 9 o’clock on the evening of April 30th the wind freshened. The skipper asked him to make up sails. By the time he got on the job, the wind was pretty fresh. In hfs opinion the tug was n|ever nearer than two ships’ lengths. He saw something at one stage going over the stern of the Toia. He thought they were a couple of miles from land, .which they could see. They put the boats upon the poop just before the starboard anchor cable parted, f To Mr Mazengarb: Witness said that the crew understood the vessel was going into dry dock. He had heard ithe" captain say he was going to look at the tail shaft. Mr Hay: Wliat. in your opinion, was the cause of the rope snapping Witness: The tag steaming ahead. To Mr Page, witness said that they would have hauled a good deal more than six fathoms of messenger from the Toia before it parted. As far as witness knew, the tug, as it was leaving, had sent a message hv Morse light saying it would be back at daylight. To Mr Hay: Witness said that after the Wanganui occurrence there had been a lot' of difference in the steering. To Mr Walsh: He said he had expected the Toia to throw a line to them. He thought the crew were nervous from the time the Toia left them. Mr Walsh: Were there any complaints. among the crew at the master pot accepting the repeated offer of a tow ?—Witness: There was a lot of discussion about it. With Mr Watson, the witness agreed that the crew were expecting the ship to go on the slip when the owners had the “slip and the cash.” To Mr Page: "Witness said there seemed to he plenty of room astern of the Progress for the Toia to manoeuvre. All hands had been surprised when the Toia steamed away. <«-, John Soberg, leading seaman on the Progress Tor about five years, who came ashore on holidays in April, described tli© Occurrence at. "Wanganui. He had complained subsquently to the mate about the stdering, but not to the captain. Since the happening she had lost £peed, and the Chief Engineer had complained to the master. To Mr Watson: Witness said tire stern of the vessel had struck a dredge wire, he thought. The vessel made many trips since. The Chief Engineer had spoken to the captain of the loss rtf speed. He had also told witness, and had added, for no particular reason, “I cannot understand it, hut the tail shaft has dropped another sixteenth of an inch.”

Fritz Degerliolm, able seaman on the Progress at the time of the disaster, also gave evidence. He saw the Toia approaching some tivie after he had come on deck at midnight. After anchor cables broke, they would have had no chance of launching a, boat. They all thought the Toia would have another try. David Cope, fireman on the Progress till early in April 1 , said that the tail shaft had been “pretty crook” about a. fortnight before he left the ship. He was told to chip and scale the shaft, and had drawn the engineer’s attention to it. It was ea#en by rust to a distance of about half an inch all round. Mr Watson: You have a poor opinion of the Progress?—Witness: Well, I always did, from the day I joined her. It’s a fact isn’t it, that you were paid off on April 7?—Witness: Yes. You were discharged, and you’ve got a grievance?—Witness: I’ve got no grievance. You got a bad discharge, didn’t you? —Witness: Yes, I got a bad discharge. Felix Kuusib, able seaman on the Progress at the timfe of the accident, said that when they were anchored they were two or three miles from shore. He thought the Toia could havecome closer. Tble- inquiry was adjourned until 10 a.m. to-morrow.