AGY-4840 | Royal Commission of Inquiry into the dangers to which ships carrying Coal Cargoes are liable

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The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the “Cause of the Dangers to which Vessels Carrying Coal are said to be peculiarly liable, and as to the best means that can be adopted for removing or lessening the same” was appointed by Letters Patent on 28 July 1896.(1) Professor Richard Threlfall and Edward Fisher Pittman were appointed Commissioners. During the years 1888 to 1896, there were twenty-two cases of missing coal-laden vessels, seventeen of which occurred in the American trade, and of which six cases occurred in 1895.(2) In addition to missing vessels, some ships were abandoned after fires started in their cargo holds.(3) The Commission’s three month period was extended three times, the first on 22 October 1896 for a further three months, the second extension was for two months on 3 February 1897, and the final extension was for one month on 31 March 1897.(4) Although the Commission was appointed on 28 July 1896, the formal inquiry did not commence until 27 August because a month elapsed before the Commission’s Secretary was appointed. The Commission took evidence from representatives of all branches of the coal mining and shipping industries, including underwriters; visited coal mines; and went into the holds of ships where coal was being loaded to gain an understanding of the entire process.(5) The Commission also gathered statistics and literature on the subject. The Commission concluded that ships carrying coal cargoes are peculiarly liable to the two following dangers: spontaneous heating of the coal cargo, and shifting of the coal cargo. To prevent spontaneous heating, the Commissioner’s recommended:
i) cranes be altered to allow the lowering of wagons down the hatchways of ships to prevent the excessive breakage of coal;
ii) very large ships should not be loaded with the existing appliances on days when the maximum shade temperature rises above 80 degrees fahrenheit or the maximum sun temperature above 110 degrees fahrenheit;
iii) surface ventilation only should be employed in connection with cargoes of coal.(6) The Commission’s recommendation on preventing the shifting of coal cargoes stated “with regard to the trimming of coal cargoes, we are unable to recommend that any form of Government inspection or licensing of trimmers should be adopted as it has been abundantly shown that it is in the power of the masters of ships to secure adequate trimming. We are of opinion, however, that no iron or steel ship should engage in the coal trade without shifting-boards being provided.(7) The Commission’s Report was submitted to the Governor on 28 April 1898. ENDNOTES
1. Report of The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the “Cause of the Dangers to which Vessels Carrying Coal are said to be peculiarly liable, and as to the best means that can be adopted for removing or lessening the same”, Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, 1897, vol.7, pi.
2. ibid., p13.
3. See ibid., Appendices F-K, pp41-45.
4. ibid., pii.
5. ibid., p1.
6. ibid., p21.
7. ibid., p22.