WILLIAM MATTHEWS, examined by Mr. Smyth, stated: I am a ship and boat builder. I have had about thirty-seven years’ experience. I knew the _Alert_ and travelled in her to Geelong a few times, but not outside the Heads. I see the model on the table. I think the _Alert_ was finer aft than the model. Otherwise it fairly represents her. I think she had about two feet freeboard aft, and about eight or ten feet or more out of the water foreward. I know the weight of the engines which were in the aft part of the ship. I knew her hull very well. Having regard to her length, breadth, and depth, I do not think any sane man would send a ship like that outside the Heads. I have been in the _Alert_ in the Bay, with a south-east wind, and she was nearly going down then. It was not a very heavy wind, but there was a nasty sea, and she nearly drowned the lot of us. The water came in aft over the lower part. There is no doubt that the gratings over the engine room and stoke-hole should be secured. I would fasten them with tarpaulins, iron cleats, and wedges. I think a glass and wooden frame in the bulk-head of the saloon of a vessel like the _Alert_ would be easily smashed. The glass would be a mere bagatelle against the water. It should not have been where it was in the front of the poop on a sea-going vessel like this one at any rate. I know the bunker holes. The covers should be screwed down and fastened below by a bar. They would not be secure by simply being fastened down by their own weight in a boat like that, rolling about as she did. I think if the vessel had had more cargo than the forty-four tons placed in her main hold, she would have been even worse than she was. That cargo was not right to go outside the Heads with, as the vessel, considering her length, was not fit to carry it. If the cargo had been stowed in the forehatch it would have put her more on even keel. It was a great mistake to place that wooden awning on the boat. If a gale of wind were blowing, the wind would get under the awning, and if the vessel were lying over, it would help her to go over further without doubt. It would keep her down when she was down. If the _Alert_ had had another mast and sail on it, her head could have been brought up to the wind and sea. At all events it would help in doing that.