WILLIAM KING, examined by Mr. Purves, stated: I am chief engineer of the _Excelsior_. I am an engineer by profession, and have had sixteen years’ experience of shipping. I knew the _Alert_, and was chief engineer of her from 1890 to 1893 in the Bay trade, and also for six months after the engines were altered. During that time I went outside the Heads to Tasmania. On that voyage I considered she was perfectly sea-worthy. We had fine weather going, and very rough weather coming back. I was perfectly satisfied with the way she behaved. I never heard of, or saw, any water coming in through bunker holes or gratings while I was in her. I would go to sea in her any time and anywhere. Cross-examined by Mr. Box: Engineers and seamen have to take a good deal of risk sometimes. If one is out of employment it is not easy to get a billet. There was no risk in going in the _Alert_. We were sixteen hours coming from Tasmania. That was the only time I went outside in her. The _Excelsior_ is larger than the _Alert_. I have seen the latter shipping heavy water in the Bay. She had to go slow at times. The new engines lifted her about six inches higher in the stern. JOHN LEGG, examined by Mr. Purves, stated: I am dockmaster in the employ of Mr. Duke, of Duke’s dock. By trade I am a shipwright, and have been employed by Mr. Duke for about thirty years. I have had the _Alert_ in dock on many occasions. She was buoyant and able, in my opinion, for her size. Cross-examined by Mr. Box: I have never designed a vessel myself. I have been to sea as master of sailing-vessels, not steamers. I don’t know anything about the _Alert’s_ inside. She was not very deep, and was rather narrow in the beam. I would not call her a very tender vessel. I was on board of her before she was altered, but not after. I would call her a stable vessel for her size. There is no doubt that she was fitted for the Bay trade. As to going outside that all depends upon the weather. It would be a risky thing taking a vessel built from that model outside in all sorts of weather. I would go to sea in the _Alert_ in ordinary weather. JAMES TRAINOR, examined by Mr. Purves, stated: I am a seaman, but at present I am a labourer. I was an A.B. on board the _Alert_ and other ships for sixteen years. I went to Tasmania in the _Alert_. She went without cargo and came back with seventy tons of oats. She behaved like any other vessel of her size would do. I considered her as good as any other vessel. Cross-examined by Mr. Box: I have been wrecked twice. It was my idea to go in the _Alert_ to see how she would behave. I asked to go. I volunteered to go in her. I was Huddart, Parker’s man then. _Q._—I suppose there was great excitement in the office to see how she would go? _A._—Yes. (Laughter.) I had heard great talk of the _Alert_. I was not astonished to get back safely in her.