H.—lsa

52

No. 17.—Return of Vessels surveyed for Seaworthiness— continued.

Date of Survey. Name cf Vessel. Where surveyed. Nature of Casualty, &c. 1908. Oct. 23 .. S.s. Kaituna Wellington During the voyage of this vessel from Dunedin to Greymouth, at 9.40 p.m. on the ]2th October, all the propellerblades were stripped off. At midnight she was picked up by s.s. " Charles Edward " and towed to Westport, arriving on the 15th October. The vessel was tipped at the stern at the Westport wharf, and four new propeller-blades fitted. When the vessel arrived in Wellington on the 20th October her stern was again tipped up at the Railway Wharf, when the spare propeller-shaft and a solid propeller were fitted. On the 19th October, on a voyage from Wellington to Patea, this vessel is supposed to have struck a submerged spar in the vicinity of Cape Terawhiti, resulting in the hull being pierced on the starboard side. On placing the vessel on the Patent Slip at Wellington, it was found that there was a deep scratch along the hull-plating on the starboard side, terminating in a rectangular hole, 8 in. by 4| in., piercing the hull into the forward hold, about 3 ft. forward of the stokehold bulkhead, and about 6 ft. from line of keel. A similar scratch recently made was discovered on the port side in about a line with the foremast along the bottom ; also about 6 ft. from the line of keel, but no special damage was done here beyond the starting of a few rivets. The vessel also showed signs of having touched something on the keel immediately under stern-post. The propeller had also lost one half-blade. A patch about 2 ft. square was riveted over the hole in the hull, a shoe 4 ft. long fitted on keel forward of propelleraperture, and the loose rivets renewed in various parts of the hull. A new propeller was also fitted. At 5.30 p.m. on the 18th September, on a voyage from Wellington to Suva, the tail-shaft broke at a part about 3 ft. from the stern-post in the stern-tube. The stern-tube was drilled and split open, and a Thompson's patent coupling fitted and clamped over the broken shaft. The vessel returned to Auckland, where a new stern-tube, sternbush, and propeller-shaft were fitted. A spare propellershaft was placed on board. On a trip from Whangarei to Auckland, on the 25th October, and when between Takatu Point and Rodney Point, the propeller-shaft broke inside the stuffing-box, fracturing the stem-tube. The vessel anchored, and was later taken in tow by the s.s. " Paeroa." On the vessel's arrival at Auckland, a new propeller-shaft and stern-tube were fitted. When crossing the Patea Bar on her way from Wellington to Patea, on the 3rd November, this vessel touched the ground at 5 p.m., and remained fast until the 7th November. She was got off by means of hawsers carried to the breakwater and by the use of her own machinery. When the vessel arrived in Wellington she was placed on the Patent Slip for survey. Some forty rivets were found to be loose. The rudder-stock, which was twisted, was straightened, and the defective rivets renewed. On the voyage from Newcastle, N.S.W., to Wellington, this vessel's propeller became loose, caused probably by the engines racing heavily during the bad weather which she enoountered. On arrival at Lyttelton the propeller was taken off and refitted to the propeller-shaft. This vessel left Wellington for Nelson at 8 p.m. on the 14th December, and shortly after leaving broke her starboard thrust-shaft just inside the after collar. The appearance of the shaft showed that there had been an old flaw, which, just prior to the break, had extended about three-fourths through the shaft. A new end was welded on the shaft, the thrust-collars turned and fitted to former bearing, and a new set of ooupling-bolts lilted. At 7.23 a.m. on the Kith December, about fifteen miles north of Westport, on a voyage from Westport to Nelson, the port-propeller shaft broke at the large part of the taper, the propeller being lost. The low-pressure-valve spindle was bent and the guide-bracket broken through the racing of the engine when the shaft broke. A new propellershaft and a new propeller were fitted. The damaged portions of the engines were effectively repaired. On the 31st December, at 5.15 p.m., whilst on a voyage from Auckland to Wellington, this vessel went aground in Auckland Harbour. She floated off without assistance, and proceeded to Wellington, where the vessel was surveyed. It was found that no damage had been done affecting her seaworthiness. At 8.30 p.m. on the 11th January this vessel was lying alongside No. S Quay, Auckland. A fire broke out in the main saloon, which destroyed the fittings and upholstery. The damage to the saloon was made good. The hull of the vessel sustained no material damage. Oct. 24 „ Kapiti Wellington Oct. 12-30 .. ,, Whangape .. Auckland O o t. 2 8; Nov. 10 ,, Akaroa Auckland Nov. 12 ,, Mana Wellington ,, Kaituna Dee. 8, 9 .. ..yi lolton Dec. 15, 17.. ,, Kennedy Wellington Dec. 19 .. „ Arahura Wellington 1909. Jan. 4 .. „ Daldorch Wellington Jan. 8. .. „ Waimarie .. Auckland