A GRAVE VERDICT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 249, 26 November 1909, Page 2

A GRAVE VERDICT.

FOUNDERING OF THE DUCO. VESSEL OVERLOADED. iiy Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Thursday. The Court's decision in the Duco enquiry was given to-day. The Court wus of opinion that the steamer foundered at sea, and in all probability on the night of her departure. In answer to a question whether the vessel was seaworthy when she left Wellington, the Magistrate said he was of opinion that the Duco when leaving poet was not in a condition to encounter such perils of the sea as she might be fairly expected to encounter in going to the Chatham Islands. lie considered that laden as she was, a deck cargo of ten tons of coal not lashed, a 400-gallon tank full of water, 6ome time and some concrete blocks, mas sufficient to render a ship of the Duco class unfit to encounter the perils referred to, and hence, ordinarily speaking, was unseaworthy.

THE RIGHT OF APPEAL.

Wellington, Last Night. After the Nautical Court had delivered judgment in the Duco case, Mr. Dalziel! (for the owners) said he understood there was no right of appeal in such a case. Dr. McArthur said there was a right of re-hearing before the Supreme Court. Mr Dalziell said the trouble the company was in was that there was no expert evidence as to what the Duco really could carry. Captain Bemlall gav-.. evidence of this, but the company was unable to bring any expert evidence to compare with his. It is on this ground that any application for re-hear-ing may l.e made.