H.—lsa.

No. 19.—Return of Vessels surveyed for Seaworthiness— continued.

66

Date of Survey. ! Name of Vessel. I Where surveyed. Nature of Casualty, &c. 1911. 'nne 28 ; July 18; Oct. 12, 21, 27 S.s. Takapuna .. . I Wellington Port Cha Nelson.. Napier. . Nelson. . . : Auckland . ': Wellington Dunedin Lyttelton Auckland Dunedin Wellington and Port Chalmers i al n i a : EB6I n d On the 2nd June, 1911, this vessel was crossing the Westport >rs Bar, on a voyage from Nelson, when she was disabled b} 7 the rudder-head carrying away just below the trunkway, through a heavy sea striking the rudder, and a defect in the welding. After the rudder was disabled the vessel was kept going ahead, and managed to get inside the retaining-walls. The anchor was dropped, but the strong current in the river carried the stern of the vessel round and it struck the retaining-wall, breaking the stern-post at the bottom of the aperture, and starting the hull plating and rivets under the stern-tube. The vessel was towed to Wellington, and placed on the Slip for examination. It was then decided to send her to Port Chalmers for repairs. On arrival there she was docked and the following repairs made to the vessel. A new rudder-post and rudder were made and fitted. Eight hull-plates were taken off to allow of the new post being fitted, six were replaced, and two defective plates were renewed. Thirty-two rivets in the forepart of the vessel were renewed. A new propellershaft and a new set of propeller-blades were fitted. This vessel took the ground at Tarakohe Wharf, on the 3rd November, 1911, during a gale. On examination of the hull it was found that the butts and seams were strained. The jib-boom was broken and the rudder damaged. The butts and the planking were refastened, and also caulked where necessary. A new rudder and jib-boom were also fitted. . . I On the 8th November, 1911, when entering the Wairoa River, on a voyage from Napier, this vessel struck a beam which was projecting from a pile of the old breastwork, making a 12 in. by 9 in. hole in her port side. The water gained entrance at this hole and the vessel sank. At low water temporary repairs were effected, the water was pumped out, and the vessel was refloated on the 9th. She returned to Napier, where permanent repairs were effected. Three new planks were fitted to hull. . . ! During the voyage of this vessel from Nelson to Waitapu, on the 12th November, 1911, in Blind Bay, a leak was discovered at the back end of the furnace-tube, where it is connected to the combustion-chamber plating, near the edge of an old patch. On arrival in Nelson a small plate was fitted on either side of the thin portion. .. On a trip from Coromandel to Auckland, on the 9th November, 1911, when about five miles off Cow and Calf Rocks, this vessel's crank-shaft broke. The vessel was towed to Auckland, where a new after-web was forged and fitted to the crank-shaft. . . i On the 24th November, 1911, when crossing the Manawatu ■ Bar, on a voyage from Greymouth to Foxton, this vessel struck the bottom and carried her rudder away. She drifted over to the North Spit and grounded, breaking most of her propeller-blades. The cause of the accident was insufficient water on the bar. The vessel remained aground until the 28th November, when she was refloated, after jettisoning about 12 tons of coal, and proceeded to Foxton. The damaged rudder was unshipped and forwarded to Wellington, where a new one was made to replace it. Two new sets of propeller-blades were also fitted. On the 24th November, 1911, this vessel was proceeding from the fishing-ground off Taiaroa Heads to Dunedin, and when inside Otago Heads the L.P. bottom-end connectingrod bolts broke, causing the breaking of the cylinder-cover and piston. This vessel was on a voyage from Kaiapoi to Foxton. On the 28th November, 1911, when crossing the Foxton Bar. she grounded, carrying away the rudder-post and the bottom of propeller-aperture. This vessel was proceeding up the Ohinemuri River on a voyage from Auckland to Paeroa, on the 12th December, 1911, when she struck the river-bank and strained her forefoot. She completed the voyage to Paeroa and then returned to Auckland, where she was docked for examination and repairs. It was found necessary to fit a gravingpiece into the forefoot. On the 29th December, 1911, as this vessel was passing Quarantine Island, Otago Harbour, on a voyage from Bluff to Dunedin, she touched a rock on the port side, denting her bottom in way of Nos. 1 and 2 ballast-tanks and engine-room spaces. There was a strong ebb tide running, and a fresh south-west breeze blowing at the time, which interfered with the vessel's steering and caused her to take a sheer towards the island. On arrival at Dunedin a survey was made, and, as the vessel was not seriously damaged, she was allowed to proceed to Lyttelton for docking and further survey. It was there found necessary to renew fifty-six rivets in the hull and sixty in the bilgekeel on the, port side of the vessel, ov. 3 Gannet (ketch) .. Nov. 11, 12.. S.s. Tangaroa Nov. 13 S.s. Wairoa Nov. 13 S.s. Chelmsford .. Dec. ■> S.s. Gertie Dec I S.s. Napier Dec. 6, 11, 14 S.s. Wootton Dec. 14 ! S.s. Taniwha 1912. Jan. 3 S.s. Waipori