LOSS OF THE DUCO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 244, 20 November 1909, Page 6

LOSS OF THE DUCO.

MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY. Ly Telegraph.- I'.esa Association. Wellington, November 10. The magisterial inquiry iniu Hie re ported loss of the steamer Duco, which left Wellington on September 7th on' a lishing cruise to the Chalhams, commenced to-day. I Captain Stringer, Assistant Supcrm-! Undent of Marine, said he surveyed the ( Duco before she I,'lt. The lifeboat- were; properly provisioned aud she had t'.el regulation appliances. She had,about four tons ~i coal on deck when he stopped loading. lie considered ise steamer was safely loaded if no mo-c cargo was put on after he lefl. In reply to a question whether the steamer was in a lit condition to sail to the Chathams, witness said she was' in a good condition. He would take her all 'round the world without liesitnlin. "With sixty tons of coal on board';" asked counsel.

"Yes." replied witness; "in the way it was stowed."

The inquire is continuing. Wellington, Friday. At the Duco inquiry, Captain tieo.ge Gordon Smith, superintendent of mercantile marine, gave evidence thai he considered it safe to carry the di-k cargo de-vrilied by other witnesses The deck would clear ilself, even if one sea followed another iiuicklv. Edward (I. F. Zohrab, secretary of the Wellington Harbor Kerry Company, said the vessel was insured for .C 2500.

The inquiry adjourned until Monday next, when further evidence mav be brought.