A CRANKY BARQUE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2132, 22 January 1880, Page 2

A CRANKY BARQUE.

TOWN EDITION.

The “ Otago Daily Times ” of to-day calls attention to a “ floating cofliu ” now at Port Chalmers. Our contemporary says :—“ We published yesterday an account by our shipping reporter of the condition of the barque Speedwell, an iron vessel twenty-four years old, now in dock in the Upper Harbor, The condition of the vessel is sucli as to require either the most extensive repairs, or that she should be prevented from going to sea. From the information we have received, we understand it is the intention merely to patch her up so that she may safely reach Newcastle in ballast. We believe the duty of the Government under the Marine Acts goes further than this, and that the officials arc responsible to see that no vessel should proceed to sea that ought to be condemned. We are not prepared to say that the ease of the Speedwell is so bad as that, but we think the Collector of Customs should satisfy himself before granting a clearance, by means of a most thorough survey after the proposed repairs are performed, that the vessel is in a thoroughly seaworthy condition. It does not appear to us to be enough that the vessel should be patched up so as to give her a reasonable chance of reaching an Australian port in safety. Her condition was disclosed by an accident, and she might happen to elude the vigilance of surveyors in other ports. When human life is possibly endangered by allowing such a vessel a further lease of life, private interests should not be considered.”