THE TAINUI INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1919, Page 6

THE TAINUI INQUIRY.

, "NOT SUITABLE FOR BENZINE." DANGER FROM FIRE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch. October 20. At the Tainui inquiry James Powell, engineer on the Tainui to November last, said the insulation was poor. He had seen damaged parts patched with wood from kerosene cases. The Tainui was not suitable for carrying benzine, as it had a bilge running fore and aft, which was absolutely dangerous with, benzine cargoes. Witness wrote direct to the company calling attention to the state of the afterhold, which was dangerous from the fire point of view. Witness found his complaints were not attended to. He knew that one branch shipping manager did not forward to the head office a letter of camplaint by witness and the engineer, the main reasons given being that the manager did not consider it necessary. The refrigerating machinery on the Tainui was first-class. Fie thought the pumice used in the Tainui insulation was not thS same as that on exhibition in court. The bulkhead door leading into the engine-room was only partially adjusted until he put bolts in and for a period lie packed the sides of the door with oakum. He did not report as to the danger subsequently, because he considered the complaints would not be heeded. The letter not forwarded to the head office referred to the wages paid the firemen and engineers. Witness '.vas the only person in the Tainni's engineroom. When he rested on the trip the fireman was in charge.

A THEORY PUT FORWARD. Christeliurch, Last Night. After the conclusion of Powell's evidence the Bench announced its intention of visiting the wreck in order to ascertain what the insulation of the holds consisted of and how it was constructed. Powell said that the model (produced) of a section of the insulation of the bulkheads was not correct. In reference to the allegations made by certain captains employed in the Refrigerating Company's vessels that thev were ordered to sail through Cook Strait bv night whilst the daylightsailing regulations were in force, Mr Raymond produced the official log book of the Mana, one of the company's vessels. This showed that the Mana had frequently sailed through Cook Strait bv night whilst the regulations were in force. As far fu could be ascertained the Tainui had also sailed through the Strait bv night, on several occasions. The President: What the Bench can-

not understand is why the Marine Department did not take action in the matter. Alexander A. Bickerton, Government analyst, said that the materials of which the' holds of the Tainui were made were unsuitable for the carriage of benzine. The materials were inflammable and absorbed bjmzine—two fatal objections. Neil 0. I-lood, Government surveyor of ships, said he surveyed the Tainui at Lytteltcn on May Ist lost. She'was built of first-class material, was wellconstructed and sound, s,s also was the insulation. Ho considered the disaster had occurred through benzine fumes getting into the confined space between the insulation and the skin of the ship. As the Tainui had been carrying benSine prior to the disaster it was probable that liquid benzine had soaked through the insulation and vaporised fumes would then move towards an outlet under the bulkhead and into the bunkers. He was of opinion that after the fires had been cleaned out on the morning of the disaster the tool 3 used, which would be red hotj were put between the boiler and the bunker, with the red hot end resting on the plate of the floor. This red hot point would ignite the benzine vapor with which it came in contact. The fire would pass through the timbers to the bilges, along under th e forward hold and an explosion would probably take place in the confined space under the hold. The enquiry was adjourned till tomorrow. The visit to the Tainui will take place when the hearing of evidence is concluded.