The Ill-fated Ronga

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8103, 1 June 1906, Page 6

The 111-fated Ronga

3lugisteriai Enquiry. Per Press Association. CIIRISTCH UIICH, May HO. A Magisterial enquiry was held to-day in connection with the capsize of the schooner Ronga, while on a voyage from Lyttelton io Ilavelock. The schooner left Lyttelton on April 2lst in coal ballast, and on May 4th wai found iloating bottom up in Cook Strait, about twentytwo miles north of Kapiti. Thomas Ker, managing owner of tho Rongit, said she had capsized twice previously in Pelorus Sound, and she was altered after the last accident. She was carrying 33 tons of coal when she left on April *21st, the captain having seen it stowed. There were the captainjand 5 men men in crew, which was one man above the minimum, The men wore all A.B.'s. Captain Petersen had been master <.f the vessel sincc January, 1001. He was a capable seamen. Tfte vessel was insured for £1000 with the New Zealand Insurance Company. He valued her at £2000 ; she cost £"2400 six years ago. He had never Riven instructions to " Let the first consideration bo speed," It had come to his knowledge since that other vesseia of similar build, made by the game builders had capsi/. -d or wore" missing. Thomas Major Lane, shipbuilder at Totara North, stated that the firm of Line and Brown bu.lt the Ronga. Iu his opinion the ship was certainly stable; she capsizing in Pelorus Sound might happen to any similar vessel. Ilis firm had built eighty-four vessels and there hau been only an average proportion of disasters. The Ronga wis b specially to Mr Ker's order, but ui.n.K-s was responsible for the design of it and the sail area.. There was no provision for inspection by a Government ofVieer of tho plans or model to see it they possessed the required stability. Captain Stewart Willis, Lby.t's 1 iogister Surveyor, stated that he righted the Ronga after the second time she capsized, and under h:> direct ion-; f belower masts* were shortened six feet each, and the sails s x feet in vertical heigh'. The alterations were carried out to bis iibv.dute lie had the alterations made k>:;« to render the vessel absolutely sitfe tu his mmd. He was strongly of opinion thai plans of nil vessels should lirsi be Mibmitted to a competent authority as regun!-. the stability and sail area. I'tunr the present system practically no supervision existed for small vessels. His opinion was that when the Ronga left Lyttelton she was absolutely safe provided her ballast was properly secured and she was properly bandied.

Expert witnesses said that their opiniou was that the vcasel was carrying too much sail at the time of the capsize and broached to in tho gale which was then blowing. They also stated that tbe ballast was weil trimmed, but no shifting boards had been used. The Magistrate said his decision would be given next Wednesday.