THE ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. WALLACE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1434, 20 January 1885, Page 2

THE ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. WALLACE.

Wellington, Yesterday. A Magisterial enquiry was held this afternoon before Mr Curtis, R.M., and Commander King, R.N., in respect to the accident to the s.s. Wallace in the French Pass. Captain Bruce deposed that he was reading in his cabin, the chief officer, Mr W. F. Paul, who holds a master’s certificate, being in charge. Mr Paul stated he was steering by the land, the night being dark but clear, and giving directions to the man at the wheel. They were a mile out of the ordinary course when the casualty occurred, but were trying to make a short cut to catch the tide in the Pass. He must have misjudged his distance from the Beef Barrels. He was drowsy at the time, and might have been nodding a bit, but was not asleep. He expected the accident was the result of his nodding. He could not account for it in any other way. On Thursday he was up at six and on duty till 11 p.m., the ship being on the cradle. On Friday he was up at 4 a.m. and at work till half-past 11 p.m. He went on watch at midnight again. The Court suspended the chief officer’s certificate for three months, but to mark their appreciation of the straightforward way he gave his evidence, refused to mulct him in costs. After coming off the reef the steamer was helpless, ail the blades being knocked off her propeller, and there being no wind. She was towed to Waikawa Bay by her boats, a distance of two miles from the reef. This occupied two hours, and meanwhile three pumps were going to keep the water down. The steamer is not much injured. She has been under tepa ; rs all day, and will be ready for sea to-morrow night.