charter party. On account of delays due to adverse weather, according to Captain Pickels statement to me, she did not reach Sydney until noon of the 16th. Some repairs were then made on wireless and engine, our cargo was taken on board, a new crew was shipped and the vessel left Sydney for Tahiti at 6 p.m., 19 July, under engine power. Soon after 8 p.m. the engine refused to work, but the wind was fair and good and we proceeded without anxiety on my part. The engine was coasted to run several hours during the night of 20-21 July, but on the 22nd it was reported to be totally out of commission with a crack in the hub of the fly wheel. We reached Papeete Harbor at 6 p.m., 25 July, just six days from Sydney instead of the three or three and one-half that the journey would have taken with the calm weather that we had, if the engine had been in good order when we started from Sydney and if the engineer had been competent. I un- derstand now that it can be proved that the engine was out of radically out of order before the vessel reached St Anthony. If this be true, the