SINKING OF THE PORT KEMBLA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1735, 29 September 1917, Page 3

SINKING OF THE PORT KEMBLA.

A-DELIBERATE ACT

The Court which enquired into the sinking df the Canard liner Port Kembla off Cape Farewell early on the morning of 18th September, delivered its judgment at Wellington yesterday. The Court comprised Mr W. ft. Iliddell, S.M. (chairman), witli Captain Neville and Dr. MacLaurin (Dominion Analyst) as the assessors. The full text of the finding is as follows;: — ‘•\Ve find that the s.s. Port Kcmbla left on 12th September, IDI7, bound for , via ; that the vessel was well found, and carried a crew of 51) hands all told that the crew, with the exception of the captain, were not aware that the vessel would call at on'thc voyage; that the vessel was 1 fully laden with frozen produce, wool, skins, fallow, jams, lead, and general cargo, and the loading was carried out under conditions showing a proper regard and care for the safety of the vessel and her crew; that about. 11.55 p.m. on 17th September, in tine weather and smooth sea, when the vessel was aboht eleven miles from (tape Farewell, a ferritic explosion took place in the after part of the No, 1 lower fore hold, or 'tween decks, apparently close to the starboard side of the vessel; that the tremendous force of the explosion.rent open the starboard side of the vessel abaft the fore hatch, and apparently close to the bulkhead, between ’ holds 1 and 2; that the explosion also burst (.pen No. 1 fore hatch, scattered various cases of cargo on the deck, carried away the wireless aerials, and smashed the compass; that smoke or fumes were seen to issue from No. 1 fore hatch and the ventilators on the fore deck on the starboard side; that no volume of water was seen to rise from the damaged part on the starboard side where the explosion took effect; that the vessel was headed towards the land, but the damage done was so serious and the inrush of water so great that she took an immediate heavy list to the starboard, and sank in deep water between 20 minutes or half-an-hour after the explosion occurred; that the noisier of the vessel acted promptly, and aided by his oflicers and crew and the calm weather then prevailing, the boats were launched and the crew taken off before this vessel foundered; that- the captain, first and third officers remained on board until the last, then jumped into the sea, and were picked up some time afterwards by the boats.

“In the opinion of the Court the Avcight of evidence shows that the explosion avus internal, and due to the placing of a quantity of high explosives in the after part of No. 1 lower fore hold, or Tween decks, as already slated. Such an net must, have been deliberate, and done Avith (he intention of destroying the vessel and her eroAv, The tremendous force of the explosion, and the extent of the damage done, indicate (hat the quantity of explosives used avus considerable, but there is no delinite evidence to guide the court in determining its nature AA’ith any certainty.”

At the enquiry Mr P. S. K. Macussey,- of the Crown Law Office, represented the Marine Department, and Mr G. G. G. Watson the owners of the vessel and Captain Jack,