THE ILL-FATED YONGALA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 324, 10 June 1911, Page 5

THE ILL-FATED YONGALA.

THE ENQUIRY CONTINUED. THE VESSEL'S SOUNDNESS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Brisbane, June 9. At the Yongala enquiry, Mr. Wareham said the vessel was a stiff ship and fully equipped with nautical instruments. The captain was an excellent seaman and had no orders to push the ship, in spite of keen competition. He had heard of no complaints by passengers of the Yongala's excessive rolling. He thought the vessel was immune from any other form of disaster than striking a rock. Judging from the small quantity of cargo recovered, a very small hole must have been torn in the boat's bottom. She must have foundrede very quickly. The Yongala cost £102,000, and was insured for £03,000, the company carrying the balance of the risk. Captain Hansen, stevedore, gave evidence that the Yongala's cargo was safely stowed, and it was impossible for any of the cargo to have shifted. The vessel had never been so light on the upper deck. She rolled a bit, buf not more than other ships. Giptain Rothwell. Ciovernment pilot, gave his opinion that the Yongala met the full force of the gale at midnight and simply foundered. The search he had made disclosed 110 evidence of her having struck a rock. Possibly Rome cargo shifted, otherwise a vessel like the Yongala would have weathered any storm. He did not suggest any negli- , gence in the stowage. There was nothing lacking in cither ship, officers or

Mr. Leslie, superintendent of wharves, deposed that the Yongala was a tender but safe ship. She rolled heavily, and it took onlv a few tons on either side to give her a list, but she righted herself steadily and the roll caused no danger. The boat could not have been better found or equipped. The cargo might have shifted; he never knew it to do so. In his opinion the disaster was caused bv striking some obscured object or obstruction.

Other evidence supported the, seaworthiness and proper equipment of the vessel. No complaints were made by the captain or officers against the sailing capacities of the steamer.

ANOTHER UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. Received 9, 0.30 p.m. Brisbane. .Tunc 0. The steamer Pornoise, which has been searching for the Yongala since Ma y fi, has returned unsuccessful. Members of the party walked around Nnres' Rock at low tide, but saw no sign of the bottom having been disturbed. A trailing spar sunk sixteen fathoms over the stern failed' to touch anything.