THE WARATAH INQUIRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 247, 24 February 1911, Page 5

THE WARATAH INQUIRY

STABILITY AND SEAWORTHINESS PROVED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, February 22. The judgment in the Waratah enquiry states that the vessel was properly equipped and manned, and the cargo properly stowed. She had sufficient stability, and was seaworthy, and was lost in a storm; probably she capsized, but the chain of circumstances remains undetermined. The court was unable to understand the maintenance of silence concerning her stability and behaviour at sea on her maiden voyage, the silence almost compelling an inference unfavorable to the owners. A FULLER MESSAGE. JF"* *—v. UNDOUBTEaTENDERNESS ON' FIRST VOYAGE. '• TOTTENHAM GRANGE STORY DISCREDITED.

Received 23, 10 p.m. London, February 23. The Waratah judgment shows that there was only conflicting and indirect evidence to go upon, but, owing to the absence of wreckage, the Court was of opinion that the steamer capsized during a gale of exceptional violence, and the first great storm she encountered. ■The Court dismissed the theory that the lobs was due to an explosion of bunker coal. The Waratah was properly supplied with boats and life-saving appliances, and the crew was considerably in excess of the Board of Trade requirements. They thought an early opportunity might be taken to consider whether the requirements were sufficient for a large passenger ship. The Court suggested that a committee of experts be appointed to decide the minimum stability requirements of different types of vessels, including stability curves. Rules for stowage of cargo should be formed by builders for the guidance of shipowners.

, Discussing Mr. F. Lund's assurance that Captain Ilbcry did not report regarding the Waratah's maiden voyage, the Court was unable to understand Captain Hbery's silence concerning her stability. It was contrary to the whole practice of ship-owners and ship-masters to treat the matter with the indifference wherewith Mr. Lund and Captain Hbery treated it. The inference that it was unfavorable to' the owners was greatly strengthened by the correspondence with the-builders. Apparently difficulty'arose during the initial loading, and there was a presumption that the Waratah was a tender ship when she started on her maiden voyage. The Court considered that neither F. Lund's nor Peck's, the builder's, account of the interview of April 23 was complete, and they added: "We can only leave the matter there."

The report sharply commented on Lund's use of the word "bluff" regarding his letters to the builders. The evidence showed that the difficulty was not surmounted on the outward or homeward journey, but tenderness in the upright did not necessarily involve the stability at the large angles of the keel. The explanation of a large amount of adverse comment lay in the vessel's undoubted tenderness during the first voyage, and whilst loading in such a condition it was quite observable. Lists could be produced by moderate wind pressures, and relatively small alterations of water ballast, consumption of fresh water, and non-symmetrical working out of coal. The Court regarded the contradictory statements regarding rolling as fairly accurate evidence of truthful people about phenomena which they did not understand. I The Court discredited the story of the steamer Tottenham Grange, which reported the discoveries of bodies.