H.—lsa.

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

48

.Date of Survey. Name ot Vessel. Where surveyed. Nature of Casualty, &c. | 1909. pril 19; May 25 S.s. Mararoa Lyttelton On the 18th April, on a voyage from Wellington to Lyttelton, this vessel's thrust-bearing was found to be running hot. On arrival in Lyttelton an examination of the shaft and bearing was made. It was then found that the shaft was badly fractured. The defective shaft was taken out and the vessel laid up in Lyttelton, until a new shaft was forged. This was made and finished at Port Chalmers, and afterwards fitted in position on board the vessel. On the 17th April this vessel arrived inside the Wanganui Bar from Hobart. She was taken in tow by one of the Wanganui Meat-freezing Company's twin-screw oil-engine vessels, which was unable to swing the " St. Kilda " quickly enough in the channel, consequently she ran into the South Spit, remaining on the sand-bank until the 22nd April. She then floated off as the tides were making, and part of her cargo of timber had been discharged. The vessel was then towed to the wharf by a tug-boat. A survey was made, and the following repairs were found necessary : Four new iron stanchions and new rail fitted on poop-deck on the starboard side, new cast-iron bracket fitted to windlass, some broken, cement in the bottom of vessel amidships removed and recemented. This vessel was on a voyage from Wellington to Suva on the 25th April. She encountered heavy weather, and, when off Otaki, was carried close to the Hokio Beach. The vessel was anchored at once, remaining there until taken in tow by the tug " Terawhiti," which was sent to her assistance. The vessel was then towed back to Wellington. A survey was made, and the following repairs were found necessary : A patch 14 in. by 14 in. by -|- in. was riveted over a hole in the hull-plating, which had been made by the fluke of the anchor; the steering-gear wheel was renewed ; a new anchor-stock was fitted to port anchor, and a new shackle for anchor ; and some sails which had been blown away were replaced by new ones. On the 26th May, it was reported that the crank-shaft of the main engines of this vessel had been bent on the previous day, during the voyage from Picton to Lyttelton. The shaft was taken out of the vessel, put in the lathe and tested, when it was found to be satisfactory. On the 2nd June, at 5.45 p.m., whilst on a voyage from Kaiapoi to Wanganui, and when about thirty miles from the latter port, the low-pressure connecting-rod broke. The piston being now free was dashed against the cylindercover, breaking it. The machinery being disabled, the vessel was put under sail. About 8 p.m. she was taken in tow by the s.s. " Blenheim," and headed for Wellington. A fresh north-west breeze was blowing at the time, and this increased to a gale with heavy sea. At 6.30 a.m. of the 3rd June the " Blenheim " cast off the tow-line, signalling that she was short of coal. The vessel was then about ten miles off Cape Palliser. She was put before the wind under canvas, making about 7 knots an hour. The engineroom staff succeeded about 6 p.m. in getting the highpressure engine to work, enabling the vessel to proceed under her own steam and sail, arriving safely at Lyttelton at 5 p.m. on the 4th June. A new connecting-rod and new cylinder-cover were made and fitted, enabling the vessel to resume her voyage. On the 9th June, at 2.45 p.m., when on a voyage from Wellington to Havelock, whilst passing Point Jerningham, Wellington Harbour, the vessel grounded, having gone too close in to the point. She remained there until 3.25 p.m., when she came off with the assistance of the tug " Natone," and returned to the wharf. An examination of the vessel was made. She was found to have, received no damage, and was allowed to proceed on her voyage. This vessel was on a voyage from Bunbury, W T estern Australia, to Port Chalmers. At 9.25 a.m. of the 23rd June, whilst passing Deborah Bay, the vessel grounded. She remained aground until 5 p.m. of the same day, and was then refloated by means of her own engines and the assistance of a tug. An examination of the vessel was made, when it was found she had received no damage. On the 12th June, whilst this vessel was on a voyage from Wellington to Patea, it was found there was a slight leak in the forehold, close to the stem. The vessel had encountered heavy weather, and the butts of the hull-planking were working. On the return voyage the vessel went on to Lyttelton, where she was placed on the slip. About 8 ft. of the stem was renewed, and twelve new fastenings fitted in the planking forward. This made the vessel quite seaworthy. St. Kilda (barqnentine) Wanganui pril 29; May 5 April 30; May 14 Weathersfield (barque) Wanganui May 26, 27.. S.s. Storm Lyttelton June 7, 8 ,, Wootton Lyttelton June 9 „ Rob Roy Wellington June 25, 26 ,, Thyra Dunedin June 26 ,, Kiripaka Lyttelton