SMALL STEAMER'S TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1920, Page 4

SMALL STEAMER'S TRIAL.

ENGINES STOP AT SEA. LOSS OF THE AOKEKE, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Nighu An official inquiry into the loss of tha steamer Aorcre, on the Rangitikei beaclij on May 23, Vas held to-day. Mr. Wjr> , vern Wilson, S.M., presided. The assessors were Captains White and McNab. Captain Grotty said he had been in chargo of the steamer about a* month. H# left Blenheim for Wanganui on the Going from Wanganui to Blenheim previously the vessel touched after crossing the channel at Blenheim what, witness thought was a big boulder. She mad# water going up tha river, and the engine pumps were always going. She was A dry Bhip after reaching- the wharf at Blenheim, but next morning It was rew ported to him that there were twp feet of water in the engine room- She wa» again pumped dry with the hand pumpi« and no more water was made while ly* ing at the wharf, but when going dowji the river the pumps had to be used frequently. He did not know muck about the ship, but he thought that, with a favorable trip across, he could reao-k Wanganui. He' knew before crossing tha Wairau bar that she leaked, and that the engine pump was defective. The weather was favorable when he left Jackson's head. The engine pum|» worked all right until about 10 o'clock at night, when the engines He learned from the engineer that this waa done to enable the water to be pumped out. As soon as the vessel got into rough water she opened up and made water. After the engines stopped the vessel cou« tinued under sail till about midnight, when the engines were got going again, and the water was kept under. He sighted land oil Turakina about wren o'clock in the morning. About ten o'clock he sent for the engineer, and told him he would have to make for Kapiti, as the wind and the sea were increasing, ani steam was decreasing owing to ther- coll in the bunkers being wet. Instead of getting GOlbs of steam he was only getting about 251bs. Further evidence showed that the mai« ter tried to sail the steamer, but eventually, for safety, the crew decided to beach her . It was stated the master had made every endeavor to save his ship, but the vessel was helpless when the engines stopped. Other evidence tendered was to the effect that the vessel was recently on the slip. The hull was then in a sound condition, and all neotuary repairs were carried out. The inquiry Is proceeding.