THE ROTOMAHANA ENQUIRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1020, 13 August 1883, Page 2

THE ROTOMAHANA ENQUIRY.

[by telegram;.] Dunedin, To-day.

The Court of Enquiry on the Rotomahana found that the grounding of the steamer and consequent damage appears by the evidence to have - been caused by (Ist) the unexpected strength of the current setting in towards the shore; (2nd) the misjudging by Captain Carey of the distance from the shore at 3 a m. ; (3rd) the apparent projection of the reef from the coast much further than shown by the chart. That the nature of the loss or damage done was injury to the hull of the ship to the extent of from L 4,000 to L 5,000. On the first point, that the grounding was partly due to the currents continuing to run to eastward longer than anticipited after the ebb tide had made, hence taking the port bow of the steamer further in shore than the estimated distance. Secondly, that the atmospheric conditions led the commander to misjudge the distance and the omission to heave the lead at three o’clock left his mistake as to the distance from Slope Point undetected. In addition to these two causes for her striking, it seems probable from the evidence of the commander and the known opinion of other navigators, that the Pinnacle Rocks between which the steamer was so skilfully handled extend much further seaward than are marked on the chart. The evidence of the commander and officers tends to show that a want of knowledge of the wind and weather off the southern porta of the colony is a drawback to safe navigation between them, and owing to these not being telegraphed between the Bluff and Dunedin the high winds off the coast would be unknown, and hence due allowance of the then influence on the currents cannot be made. It seems probable that the current off.the south coast was influenced in the case of the Rotomahana by a gale of wind said to have prevailed previous to her reaching Waipapa, and only re-

ported on her reaching the Bluff after striking the ground. The evidence further indicates that the dangers of this part of the cost would be lessened, if Sot wholly removed, by the erection of a lighthouse on Waipapa, which could be assisted by placing a luminous bell-buoy at the dangerous Toby Bock. The Court also wished to bring to notice the apparent absence of Government encouragement similar to that given by the Board of Trade in Great Britain for officers of ships registered in the colony making themselves familiar with the judging of distance from the shore by day and night, taking bearings of headlands, lights, etc., ascertaining the speed of the ship from the engine revolutions, taking frequent observations (amplitudes, altitudes, etc.), keeping a log or notebook of the same; believing from the evidence adduced that such practice would tend td make them expert navigators, and hence lessen the shipping casualties on this coast. The heaving of the lead when near the shore would also be a great advantage, and results as to the depth and nature of the bottom would, if pencilled on the charts, form a valuable guide for future navigation. The Court make mention of their satisfaction at the clear evidence given by Captain Carey and the officers of the Rotoroahana, and likewise to call attention to the zealous promptitude and skill with which every precaution to secure the safety of the passengers and the ship after the reef had been struck. The evidence conclusively shows that with the single exception of omitting to take soundings at three o : clock, when Captain Carey considered it necessary to change the ship’s course, he acted in all respects as a careful navigator and experienced, commander, and the discipline of the ship ' reflects credit on all her officers. The nautical assessors concurred in this judgment.