LOSS OF THE DUCO.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9657, 23 November 1909, Page 5

LOSS OF THE DUCO.

MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 22. The Magisterial inquiry into the lo=s of the steamer Duco was resumed to-day. John McLean, ordinary seaman, who was on the Duco on her previous trip to the Chathams, sa d he was steering her on the voyage back. 'J he Duco tooft a heavy roll, and rolled over so far that she did not come back. Witness could not make out what had gone wrong. There was some sail on—a small trysail—but that was not sufficient to be responsible for the occurrence. He woke up the mate, who considered that the force of the wind was responsible. Witneasjh'sagreed and the | mate went off the bridge to sea what was wrong. He came back in rather an excitad state, and told witness to put her up to the wind. She was full of water from t'ie now to stern with her port bulwarks under. The wash .porta vserj lashed and the water could not get away. Mr Skye gave orders for tne wires to be cut, and tiie wash ports were opened and the water got away. She was a good sea boat if not overloaded. Henry Charles Guthrie, hulkkeepsr on the Countess of Errol, said he fiadl been loading coal on the Duco 03 the day she left. They put in sixty tons and a half, and she had some en before they started—about four tons. / They loaded her up to 1.30 p'-ei. He did not see Captain Stringer order them to cease loading at noon, but he was told that Captain Stringer had gi»en orders not to pile it any higher on deck. About four tons were pat on deck after this. Was anything said to you by Mr Menard, the engineer? He said he was sorry he had agreed to go again.