PENGUIN INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 440, 24 February 1909, Page 8

PENGUIN INQUIRY.

' the bridge by night.

STEAMING WITH ALL LIGHTS LOST.

[' EVIDENCE AS TO ABNORMAL "SET."

I THE ItIDDLE OF COOK STRAIT. : \? ll ,° inquiry .into Jthe'.wrock''of * -tho' .ijnio'n Company's at-eamei Pcngum on or near Tom's Book, Terawhiti, on February 12, was ....' . continued ."at tho! Magistrate's' Coiurt. yesterday, before Dr. M'Arthur, S M (president), and Captam C. M'Arthur, Wolhngton, and V ':> Captain.J. RMd,\Auckiaud/sitting';' as Mr. Myers appeared for the Marino Department, and had associated with him Cap- ' tain Smith, as nautical'adviter;'Mr. Herdman appeared for Captsin Najlorj'lato mas- ' ter of the Penguin, and' for Mr.. W. W. Luko > 'Mo' second •engineer'' of' ; tho .Penguin; , and Mr.' Levi represented the Union Steam r order, to,, lot tlio Mapounka get - away S&'E... afternoon, thbovidenco >of her coih- ! , > Captain Kennedy's Evidence, [-' vv. ;.:, Saniixel I/. \Kenn9dy,-, master • of. the fc .VV- ; '. t']! ne , r :¥ a Pourik. a ,;V s aid lie had been; master 'P r ' :s .P n 'BiH;wdVyears," ;: and-:had traded,from Wellington to Picton, Nelson, .' ..JUapourika-had - bwin two'.years'.'.and.;, four ?a;feW;(Vice .'and;,tKvfe^ry^service.:vi}He'Jwas^ : altef^ '; • : ; S. e / v ?s/amdiar with the. ,conditions of ' the : ...V 1^ 40 ":^? 15011 run,- and th o courso ' to' be. steered. He knew Captain Naylor when ho ;'. '''V ; . Jun , l: ™ ; ™ a . thoroughly - careful, , capable, roJ'ahJc officer.. Witness' camo through . tW Mapourika on> : Saturday.'' > ' ;•'; morning, -..February -12, and .passed: tho Bro- ' tilers at'about 915. The tido was making ; V i the lloou,'. and .flowing towar.ds• the ; west. The ; ' • •' j-i p ?!}- •/ instead or. doing '21. miles, only"' s' aid certainly ..was'.'an unusual' i ;i: .a ■ .condition ofthings.;He- hadonly one simi- • 'tidev.xlii tidal .watersithero -wereiahvays uii:^P:^( Strait^'"';* HerdmanHave- you seen the'-descrip- • ...V™. 0 "- of courso. which Captain.. Naylor ; took !. 'Wl®^TO«rso|that'^he®s&cd; - 1 y , fT wa ? an oxce ptionally safo courso, V;..- ,'- a , M ought'to havo taken- him 7or 8 miles ■': vv^;v'^' ( ,Probable Cause of the Accident. How do 3011 account for the accident? . -.-i: Witness: The abnormal '.'set"-throuen : tho v Sfciait. •. ....... It has been suggested that Captain N.ijlor iyt'iii'ii^ouid^n^evtakenV^hdings?:^'':^.? k Witness- I have never known anyouo to al!oi soundings between", the Brothers' and i] ' lerawhiti 1 1 — ..... 1 in order to take soundings, would vou have to stop the ship? ' ~ Witness: Yes, with hand gear. 1 do not 1 r>v r IP «/: 0 w©v©r , v : i -"fcH afcypa to n "fc *ys oun <31 ng ; f.. ; paratus. is. : ; necessary 'on all; ships. •*•• - i : ". ' 1 - How long would it take to stop' a ship liko 1 . the - Pen^iim-P:/:-:.';:.; 1 1 Witness: You could pull her up in* 15 min- J elites, 1 suppose. * « ; , ■: During* that' time ;slio. Would bo'. •. dfiftins v' with tho tide ? I > Witness: Yes, just as the "scV' was running Iho tides usually set S E and N W J When you are sure of your l course, tho prud- 1 cnt and sifo thing to do is to keep tho ves- 1 j ' The Prudent Course. ] Having put the vessel on' a safo course '' 1 ?«?ro Strait, I tHo : bourp^ ; js to keep the ship goins? ; :u ' 1 r * " ou Eol6mn ly fl nd seriousIy sa ? _.that you- consider..that: 'a ' patent > steamed - '' S - H^ b .°? sar y, .oii. a.: coasting. ] Witness: Very few vessels have got it ! •... ..;.He ; could ; not go. so. far. as to say-, that.-tho > ; . :•. apparatus was-unnecessary... • ..'. • Do you not 1 know that if you have patent C :'... : pearvyou xan soundings with: " . out stopping. the-shipP '.-" " •' Witness. Yes. * < • paf< '"r - & ? n ' d Wg-eesr'; 'b'ctterrtK^ '"iary ; ;'sounding :gear? •. . ' y.i : . : . Y ®. S '{. it ■is m'ti'ch 'better, 'but : it . can.bo,done without. : Patent,sounding cear /11 I suppose it is costly? "Undue influences": Erratic Currents, undiio; influences | in• tidal. wat6rs^ ; i;;>'V ! V' * ••• currents.-, arorinost er- " • ,^i' n^f: : -^ r(! ?i T cr y-orratic; . _ . . V j Must the captain of a' ship not make al- -- '•' AVi"tttcs3^Ye? C - ' ; " nd " e ■ ' ,' : - • • Dou't you; know':'that '• whenever: an'-iicci- ' ' v-t" 1 ,' °' C .f r !, ia 00 V .Strait or.. tbdt, ieikh- ' an s w 9 r ..is /always ;that ,it is '. :: . ta) , e '. to •. the osceptional. current?'■£&«• • • >; Witness: I cannot., say..h , •.' ' "' ; ''w;Ji n nofc T'f ll '® l wmnion'lcnowjeclge? - a v' ltnc - ss: J. bavo.not heard of' itr If in ~.: dark, 01; dirty- weather . always :' -' abinTn °"Vf f act, th °y never bo ;0. v ; v°V^ -wo rlc t * Ooolc x fc;' V"iTV,- v'' : f: ers - : . l ?;-. w °ttld. go .a , long way toi 1 ; s . a W!6 /^^'-theyi.should;- such ;i-iri :v- - cu ™j>taiices, steam out -to'Seav-:: ; i:i ' ' ' . - " ltness: Tiie.-publio/and,tho, 'press .would . j have a good dca -t6 s'ay aßout that.- •• - ' Vii ,v "l yers; -. rhe i'; safet y 'oftiio-Dubiic >s r sfc:^consideratibm ? ''. -.v ; ' ; ' w 'tness : ; Yes, 'undbuked]j;.". ' "The Company Never Interfero with Us." Mr. Levi: Havo you ever been questioned' - to- your tim&-table ■ - ; a 'that, it'.is .n'ecess iry\'in ariv " RriLr® , - 0r " t ' h< ? ti>"M a b|e/.ot;are v.'.u . : AfA-r ' instructions : that tho safety v -j - v®', ;first^c»nsidorati6ri?^ Witness- Yes, before everything else ' t\h Py to ? Ir - witness,said • km,<- ma ster-when ho could - not - sf-o • : ("'iien- he' had set 'a 'iafo eour«e) alfi'P a his'-Wssel.? oiifctov : - - lo n con , t i , I "'? 1 y lookill e for trouble. .- • • '•' 1 t J i!"^?? u ' ,v ? uld not find'it. vm> in'* " tide mightfiiid' it for -'''•/•v.you.'-o;',lVliai-- -.'insures«s&fcfcy -'is'' :,, cln<A' an/1 , • ' frequent departures" •from ill 'points-tl if, - you.innist iKo .lcWso: to' „® suro - ° , y°«r, position. Even at night you ~ -• .can usually sec. enough, to. go on with.- • A Safe Course. ' ;To Mr, Herdman': An -isi - course comStrait. ■;from-. Tory. . Channel . -.• would..he a. safe '.course; . .-•■ ' «-l? p Uc . r(Jlna " : f mfor from yon that .-. - when Captain-.Naylor set a courso'S.E; bv "®^ as fl n °fcf;only^making^all6wincß : ' for . but /: % Witness: Yes, that courso ought to have ;. 1"1U six miles .and -a,, half' off - Tom's " *1 yonr, experience, in navigating y --' fetral , fc >, tboro can ..be no : question that r.v-:,-;: -,i ~l/ cc, i Jj c ■ nas ' duo to tho exceptional .(• - -: set" of tho tide? ... -.-.a.' ■ Yes —on- that- course. l>vi--.,:- :-.To,.the Court:,, Wheal you know th.at vour -•' • ..'-eoursa is.a safeTono, it..would not bo advis-■:-Bpl-pr;to • to ' sea overy time. • . ' I) o r \ M 'f r ' ; ' l " r: H you ran from 10 minutes Ji'aif-past -9, f and 'Vou ireokoned, : as '..Captam Naylor did, that bis ship was doing -wonld take :him pJWit JL?4.

miles—and that -happens• to;- coincide .with. Tom's ' Rook—supposing: you could soo no lights: after , running the-.l7}.'miles,-' do vou mean to say you would still continue running your, course/.for/another l half-hour?

, Witness: With a S.E. by E. course, I should n to have done so. : Would that tako you about 17} miles off? . -Witness: -Yes,: something like:.that. : Would; not ; very- extraordinary, and abnormal, "set ? ;to .Jiavo taken the ship in to Tom's Rock?.

' Witness: Undoubtedly.' ■ A most extraordinary "set"? Witness: Yes, there ; must - have been - a strong "set-.." • '. . . : : - -•w.To Mr. Herdmnn : -Whon lie (Captain Kennedy; was two milos to. leeward; and out : of his ,coiir'so.'<)ii::. Saturday.'..morning' in ..the Mapourikaj - the' tides wero "about- the same as those which Captaili A'aylor -had. ;': .. .'■ Lons Exporlcnco'of Cook Strait. ' !;;Ihp'mas;M mariner, said that, he . ; about. 28; years'; experience, of navigating. Cook' Strait; The currents were' very; erratic.'.' Ho'was now master -of the' Opawa. Left Wellington in the Opawa for. lilenheim on- thevevening ;■ of - February!2. l currents were,- exceptional that., night, ' except, near .-Blenheim entrance. I ran the ship' from 4.15 p.m.— tho time they left.'-'. Wellington—till 10.S0 p.Di.V and tlien stopped' 'and took soundings; He then had an idea where ho was. Up to that .tijne .' -he .-did not- know .'- his : exact -position. £.\Ker4:.bftd:>i)e& a strong "set": t6 the.inprth'wari.v.'Ttfe: were,'.very ' ratio, and a hiasWr. had-to expect that. : Should Steamers Carry patent Sounding : Cear? x

Sydney (J.-,.Stringer, ,;assistant superintendent mercantile marine, - and ■ Government of ships,; said he surveyed the'.Peri-' ??J n .■■■Mil'.^°'y;^.last.:^;■Thß^oonli?aßs'eß^■wer6- : ad-' : jUstod.;in,:Dec'ember/;last.i'- -,Tho ship .was ovp'r 40 years of,ago.. In July-.last the boats of r^iP^j^AWereVin ; ."gooa~'orderi and cotild> be;.:la,uhohM;-!oxceptioniilly easily. I .The boat'. accomh!odation...was considerably in excess of. the Government .requirement.' ' patent sounding necessary,, but ;it-would, bo a. great advantage..

! Evldenco as to tho Strong "Set." ' :.:j;Frederick -Dewhurst,' master mariner in command of-tho .Putiki, 157. tons burthen, de-: ; •pos-ed . that; he.- had - liad; 19 experience of navigating Cook Strait.'- On Saturday-morning, ;February ; -13;- he .was- ; in' 'the. Strait intending to. como to. Wellington.- Ho cleared;'. the ;.neads -.at Tory ,Channel shortly 'after 7i am ■' and followed the land down /towards Cape ; then,;shaped a. courso to W«* .:i.-Therer.was..',: a very strong tide. e aoh?d. ; tK^.- Wellington side, of the. 'ho'was some miles out of his'course. lf ; your 19 yoars'. experioncc ever noticed such a strong, set"? , i ■;®? e i' andviOLttribijtemy being! so, far: .out ot.my ; .cpurse',tb',the,. exceptionally'strong -

(.-Uo yoaconsider,a.course S.E. by E. to bo , ..Witness: Tcs, perfectly safe. ' , f Captain Watson's Testimony. . J<"»nes. G ; . Watson, master, mariner, in command ; 91-;, the ;Poherua',^deposed-..that he was -in .epmmand; of (the'i Penguin on'-'-February9; r^^Hrani^nvone;:;trip; >from .Wellington to S'PW?:, returning,:6n;.-February/:i0.: .'He had ; iniv-navigatihg-the' %-:-. had -seen.;,the-. Penguin come ■ across,'on; a;course'E. .by. S. on ;an .ebb ,'tido -flp^dj.'tide.-he.-bad never known her' than -E. fto^Wellingfconi on" February 10, Tvheri louncl that ho was two . miles out.. of.■: his courso. Tho-. courso - steered :by Captain stooral from Tory Channel to -Wellington. The Purser. > Arthur ft.. Thompson,. lato purser of tho 1 .that- all , the; papers : and re-' '.11^9records* of tlib ship, tis.-to .the passengers ' i ln ©hoat s, was' in the captain's boat, .which'capsiiedi 'on being -lowered. : 'Ho getting'out the boats.!: Ultimately.drifted. ashore. 'oii^a.': ; raft., V;. ; . : •...To Mr. vlleram'aniTlio captain gave orders the:boate.,and"tho. second-oScerto : , the launching

: To tko: Court: .Ho was' obeying iho mate's gd^Jin^ssistuig^ He then 'wont to'Nol 1. boat, '.wbich on being lowered- was capsized. Ho .then went''to.ward3: -tho_ draft's: > r - As ' the sbip '■ was .going ?°)7 n >"'fl® 1 - Jumped' overboard, . and was pulled on : to a;:raft^f, ■ -v '. r,y;

. 1 , At the Wheel. . Farre], Isito an. Avß. on the Penguin, the'wheel Steering on leaving: lory Channel: •'. The. course was.:then' S.IC by-JS.-. and'ho continued steering that course :until,:;he; • by. .the ■' seaman - Gale. ,He-. was - below' when; thei Ship struck; -. On reaching '.the; deck;': Ho could just see tlie land. He:; described Vthe-iboats.; saWrTso.- 5 boat'lowered.' There-were some twb.tstewa'rdesses; ■' >„ ■£> Mr,, .Herdinan .-,:Tho : course steered: was ■J^- ; :,r?i^ ;^-\ni6re^southerly: "course than t|J a t .' thought <:he : saw the few;minutos after the :vessek'struck; v;>He';assisted ! :iii launching -the boats, .also loosened 'seats, etc., so that , they" CQuld-.float. if . the-vossel sank. Good' order: and. discipline' were -maintained' on deck.'.e Jl y ers ,4 re w -witness's '.attention to the v a P earlier-:in'.' l he said; he 1 saw-tho ; looni- of the ' land - on'. first, coming ..on. deck after the 1 vesselitruck ; .now, witness' .'said',he: first.saw'the :16bm'.>6f the- land after P e !°Wi : -Put;'bn'.m°rjß'. clothes;-aiid.-rer turned tothpdeck oir tho second occasion. Witness _said it was on coming : to;'tho deck : tliat'' We' saw the loom" of the.land.....He was:excited and somewhat con---When-giving his:.evidence before lunchh Charles L. Jackson, A B , late of tho Penguin,'.said ''heihad! ; only;;b'een on' the Penguin .three;: ureeksv prior the,wreck. *. - He' had heen onv other.Vessels :;for some' years. ' ; v ;■ On' jof;:the' wreck ! he- was look-out man i ■-,:l? clock;;: rHe-wasfe in", his bunk .-when, the vesselr'struck,, •On going on deck,'h© was ordered .t by. <th©< clnef officer;- to; go below '. to 1 .t) 1 ® engine-room ll and-inquire if tlio ship ;was makingiWater;;;; W-ithess 'gave some- evidence as ta-.thi) launohing : of - the .boats.'' He drifted asnoro.on a raft-.,/ '' . , ■ Passengers. '■ station-hand,'' now liv'mg^aViOrientej^Bajfi'rAVdlin^h,. -depbsea.'*l?®;'': was-;%passenger .by the- Penguin :when;;she.|was'.wrecked: i ,Taking, it all round, tho weather ivas fairly/clear; He was ;in tho ;smoking-room .when tho,' vessel; struck.' .•0?-;8oW8^^.. i dec^;HßtfbHnd , ,that''the wea.thick,'.' ..Witness• saw some- of .the boats- being' launched. -When .the vessel a: raft," and a s'"!. , r a shed ashore -on. the raft. . , To M r -..,-Hiirdman: In'the launching. of -?y ,°. a y s . far. ; as' he, saw, there' was no confusion;-everything was doiie quietly .and in'order.'' ' .■■■■■:

M. "Jack, .commercial traveller, deposed: , that he ■ was',' a .'passenger- by - tho 'Pen-', gum. Ho , remained on deck for about a .quarter; of ;an.fhour, after, leaving Tory Channel. It, was dark then, ;but- not" raining. Went- to, his cabin,- and was : below, when • the vessel, struck. Ho did -not seo. the boats being 'lowered; or getting away. - He-drifted ashore ou a ; raft.

To Mr. Herdm.au: The sea was smooth coming ■ out of : Tory Channel, and was not rough , when; she. struck. Crossed tho Strait every month., Ho. thought it was the general opinion. amongst travellers that Captain . Iv'aylor was - a careful master. William 'H. Greeii, warohousemanj. residmg m -Wellington, said he was on deck the "'hole, t-iino coming across tho Strait till tho vessel struck.. ' After leaving Tory Channel, 'the' weather was rough and dark. At. about a quarter to 10:.ho,'saw .a .light twice—on the, . starboard side.. After the' boat struck, witness put a lifebelt on\ and went forward, and was subsequently washed ashoro on a raft. He saw tho second boat lowered; could not say if any. of the officers' or'men went." away in that. boa,t.- / Oscar,; K.-.'Wicktorin, lately a greaser, on the: Penguin,; said- his .place was .'in, No. 2 boat. V.Ho remained-, on - duty-below till called: on deck, and: then all the boats had gone. ; .Ho was one of those who got ashore on a .

Charles Jones, .lately, a steward.. on 'the lenguin, : .said he could not say whether My: of .the officers got away on ;tho : boats.: Ho assisted in distributing life-belts' to the' passengers, and was washed ashore on a' raft.;'.,The Sccond Steward. Robert 6. Watt, second steward of. the Penguin, said when the vessel, struck ho was' ordered to tell the passongers, to put on life-belts, but ho was. to tell them, there was no. danger. ... • The second-class passen-gers-went to tho saloon, and Jife-belts were distributed.,, Ho put two bottles of brandy in each of the' boats ' .'except No. 3. . Then took; the', passengers on deck. The . chief ofbeer,. was there,. and.he put, tho passengers Jn; the .boats:. :No. 2. boat . was. tilled with passengers; there were 4 or 5 men in it. Ihe- second, engineer was in charge.'' ■ Subsequently,, went. below and .' searched' the cabins- m case ■; any ,of the passengers had tainted, or had remained behind: Two, stewardesses,. .Mr. . and Mrs. Hale,the . second | engineer, _ and; several ;of ,the •; went away in No. 5-boat, in. charge of the: second I 'Officer. He escaped, on .the last raft. • - f :.Mr v ,Herdmaii: Ho, oould r Hear ' the captain giving orders' from the bridge. - Good order- and discipline' were maintained. Could not .see .the-land when the vessel struck.'' He first saw the. land .from? the raft, after' they had: boeu drifting, about for . about : two' and j•, • ™ urs ; -Remembered- the. last boatdrill in and January, and accompanied - the captain whenhe last inspected the quarters and cabins to: see if :the' lifebelts .were* all. there/" The Penguin carrhvd close onr3oo life-belts. ' ■'

:--Captain'Of'tho.Pateona.-"--' •i t Bobert Stew'arV.in'as.tcT.mariner,' captain of jhe J?ateena; deposed that he left Wellington for Nelson direct on February 12; at 6 p.m; Did not expect- a strohg tide; but on reaching The Brothers" found -that - liei must havo had a fairly strong flood tide. . Tho tides ■ and currents varied 1 very t much .- in strength they .were erratic. Had, sometimes in neap tides, with, a fairly, strong wind; going' with thl tide, found:, tho-Current to, bo : 'about four knots. Occasionally, the'.currents .wero more rapid/ Ondcr ordinary circumstances, with s, aw ship; that ,y6u ;knew—the, engines of .wliich j-ou knew—a master ought not to bo far out in a trip of an hour; and a half. If ho' was far' out, ;.:the, conditions ■ must bo very ■' abnormal;. '.v

Provious Shipping Casualties In Cook strait.

.Mr.'l Jlyers :, Whenever an . accident happens to a -vessel in Cook .Strait, or thorieighbour.hood,' is. it not always stated' 16be caused by ■ an abnormal ."set", of the tide P

: Witness:. When-one vessel went .ashore on the, French .Pass, : it .was-not- the current,-and when another ship: went ashore at.the French Pass it was .not . the current', that put her there; it was whisky. . ; -.. Did that-conie out at tho inquiry? :. Witness: After the inquiry, perhaps. -. - ; When was that? ' -y Witness: A long' time'.ago— beforo i was born. ■; ; .y-y -

Dr. M'Arthur said witness -must not trifle with tho .Court:' '. ' ■'

f Witness > said he 'was' not; trifling :with: the Court j. tho casualty referred to occurred many years ago.V 'Y .. v' T:, r,y \ : 'At suggestion' of Mr. Herdnian, Mr. Myers said ' he; wouldhavethe - papers produced/recording previous shipping casualties in Cook' Strait. -- y.-.. - •-

Captain Sfcewart, to '' Mr,.' Herdinaii;. Captain Naylor acted as chief. officer .under him, and he (Captain .Stewart) regarded him' to .'bo a'; most" careful',' and: reliable : officer.'ahd .hoy was quito fainiliar ...with : 'the >; conditions' preyailm^;in'.the, Strait. -Tho ;by, Captain' Naylor' .was an exceptionally' safo .' ''-''v.- !

Dr. . M'Arthur : Under t]ie , circumstances that .exists .'oh^>tho,' night' of the .wreck,' if you had "mn?' • from' ten;to 8 till 9.30 o'clock. : and.: then "everything; became obscUre,. would you havo still : continued;, oh ybnr; : course,, or would - you ';li'ave. taken any. othor steps ?- ;.; Witness:,- That; is, a. very, hard ■ question V.to ariswer. • I could not say what I would, have done—l would not- like to say. -.' i ' v. The' Court',theii' adjourned till this morning at ,1.0 o'clock. '• •; • - "'- .-

V TWO MORE BODIES RECOVERED.

THREE STILL UNIDENTIFIED

;.l'Neys.i;was:;i;receiyed yesterday' -from tho 'cable :'statioii !i at ! Oterangi; Bay/- stating.' 1 that "an'^ieK-:lj^ : midday,;just outside- the, office.' The body'' was "that' of 1 a big, dark man,'fully; dressed, - save: forcoat and'.;bbptsi'vi.-A'!-' coat; ;whichV. cameashore.'on 'Monday,,.-and ;which .bore the name "Defiance" on the tag, matches, the vest worn' by the dead man/;, -The. coat ;' and' tr'ouser pockets wero ompty, but in the vest pockets wereAa/shilling ana',asilver' Beyond ;these\the're; was; nothing which; would ■lead' to'identification. . v-,iy: ■J;.-.

' Later _ another body I' was.; l recovered .at •Oterangi ; ;Bay/;.;;It ; ;is '.supposed "to be ..that or a steward, but' . there ' is;, nothing which will, aid; in' : establishing 'the. identity 'except, the : initials of; the; sack's,.; which aro taken to., be "K.S." ;These letters,. however, do not agree with or resemble tho. initials of .ahyono '. at present;' missing. ' • : ■.' . - With '.the. body recovered 'on Monday j and still unidentified, this makes three tho identity of which is. unsettled. ' , AWAITING IDENTIFICATION. In reference, to tho Ting found on the body of tho man '/ecovered on Monday, 1 arid ; ;a_s \a .gold wire' ring : 'with :a:.tnielove.' knot, it' hps been:found since the body; arrive)!; in townthat ' the . knot' is a. double .reef-knot.; The . body, is, that of a man about oft. Sin. high, medium build, good set of teeth, ;,probably. . been clean shaved, apparently prominent nose, and hands, evidently those ;of.,a. .trimmer, or ;flreman.' Deceased was wearing .a'Vdark';;tweed;,suit and grey striped shirt with collar!; attached.//.v i . MR. NOEL WHITE'S FUNERAL. The body of Mr. Noel White (son'of Mr. John White, 'of .Blenheim),: a 'victim of'the Penguin' wreck,'.. was , placed on ' board' the llapourika.',yesterday,; en .routo to Picton. The, funeral .was.' largely attended,' members' of'. the . Loyali Orange. Institution . joihingJ'iu the procession to tho boat. - FUNERALS. '• (BI TELEGEAPII —PRESS. ASSOCIATION.) Nolsor, February 23. A sequel to. the; Penguin . wreck was the funeral, of Mrs. Amelia Evans, fifth daughter of tho late Mr. Hichard King, of-Wake-field,; and.;, wife .of: Mr;; Herbert Evans, ponga, Taranaki. There was a large attendance. . Flagswero at. half-mast. ; Deceased was thirty-tyo.'yearsvoid, aud was. married a year, ago last Christmas. • ■

SYMPATHY. The following telegram has been- received from -this. Nelson Education Board:—"The Nelson Education Board, at its meeting held in Reefton ■ yesterday, passed , the following resolution: 'The .Nelson Education Board do-, sires to place on .record its; sincere., sorrow for tho loss; of the steamship; l'enguin, and to express its sympathy for.the'relatives' and friends: of. those who lost their lives-in the disaster;'" .. , ■' RELIEF FUND. i.iThe .following have been received at The Dominion office

■ -v:• £ s. -dr. Amount- already acknowledged ... 57 11 fit GHC. 1 1 o Signal Department, - Turangarere,.' - '- . per C. Garner ... ... 17 0 Mrs. ,E. Booth (Carterton) • ... 210 0 Miss Elfio Booth- (Carterton) ... 210 ' 0 r Total ... ... ... 64 19 6j

A QUESTION OF IDENTIFICATION,

. Sir—l am writing to ask: you, that. if by giving the matter publicity- in your paper you might bo able to' assist us in discovering: whether tho H. Wood, a fireman on tlio I'engtiin; who was drowned on: tho wreck and buried in Wellington on Tuesday, is my, brother. My parents havo done their utmost to find: out, but so far they have been: unsuccessful. Wo have every "reason to believo that he'was employed as'firoman an the-Penguin at the time of the disaster. On inquiry at the TJ.S.S, Company, we were told-that there-.was no one of that name

(11. Wood) who signed on at .Christchurch, which is quits possible, as he loft' Christchurch some considerable timo ago for either Nelson or Wellington, and may have signed on at either place. As he was identified, perhaps the person who • identified • him (if he could be found) may beable to throw somo light on the. matter, and thus settle our anviety.. , 1 .. ~ ' , He . would , be. about .22 or . 23 years of age,.; and about sft. lOin. in. height, not hoavily built, and he also had one of his eyes marked (not very noticeable) caused by, a piece of wood entering it about two years ago. : ~ -Thanking you in anticipation of your assistance.—lam, etc.. .. .» - FRANK WOOD. -/ ,74 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch. [Wo shall be pleased to forward on to Mr. Wood any information sent to this office.]. THE PENGUIN'S RAFTS.

(To the Editor.) \ ."■'.' Sir,—Tho utility or the rafts, in .'the recent sad . catastrophe/ was marred by its tendency .to capsize. , Had : women and children i been placed , upon them, under the same conditions, they would most undoubtedly have , been lost during, the frequent overturnings of them... ; It has occurred, to' me that .the rounded, side of the; cylinders, oh each side of .theso rafts, has a great deal to do with it. There is an -absence'-of' anything in, the way of a fin, and when once they are turned boyond a certain angle they roll oil the smooth side' of the'- cylinder. Then 'the pointed ends of these make it easy for. ,thcm ,to bo . turned over, end for end. as well.. To remedy this defect I would suggest . something ,in the way. of which; would fold; in to the side : of the cylinders when not in use, and which could be rigged when .the raft;...was afloat. They might be made in various .ways,' but this could be left to the most practical minds. As 1 have considered some methods, I would ask • your, permission to. be -allowed to', deS c ri ir o -' eir '- Tho; outriggers, to be formed iron and,hinged at one end upon the body.of the cylinder about its outer centre, c- r i° ne : wou 'd carry; a fan-shaped piece of light sheet-metal or hard wood, which would be hinged on tho arms:, these, would carry a swinging arm on one side, and angle clutches on the .other; so that when the two . out.-from the. side.of: the. cylinder .the two ; fan .pieces would bo lifted up and locked■;•'by . the. swinging- arm, the whole . thing presenting a rigid face, to, and upon, the water from either .side, ihe foro and aft fins would slide in strong :chocks,, stowing:away., between ~thedecks :or the rafts jwlieti not in use, arfil being drawn, out when .required and fastened .with a-pin ,or ..hoolc..Could not something : of a liko nature bo devised; for, the,boats am, etc., „ , „„ OLD SALT. ; JFobruary 20. : ' : . ■'■ ~. . v. SHIPS' BOATS. ■ /. tf'o Tils JJditok.) ' . ,'^ si r,—I . read with, great interest Mr.' H ».; \ avasour's pertinent letter''upon this. ; subject ;in. your: .issue of 18th instant. '■'•* I : quite- - agree ■ .with! Mr.". Vavasour that'^the best class of - boat for- quick', handling- and safety ;n \a vheavy - sea ;is the whaleboat, .titted., of.course, with a steer bar.; Should' 1 ever have tho misfortune to bo shipwrecked, I. shall -certainly look to such a boat,' it there is ono, :as,my best chance of' safety ;and .I hopo there will be with me either a fisherman or yachtsman to tako charge. I : '■ e . gr cci 0 ? a y .it,- that Ido not think there' ;at;e htty per .cent. of : our steairier men who : ing olt0lt an> S ab ° Ut a b ° at b °3" on tl: Pai?it"gM in calling.the Mrpa!led , lifeboats,'' and ■ ,we ■ !„j „\ nSlS^: 'upoii;.their being'- sweptVaway and ..replaced . by tho handy. whaleboat. These wlmleboats should, if possible, be - car'1 W' that a ..whale ship., carries them, so . that two -or ' three ,boats --can|- : belaunched':' in - as' S .minutes. -It would-, make; some - of our jSteamer men rub,their, eyes to' see .th'e.'siiiar't' ,way; m, which- a. whaler can lower his'boafe, E r ?;-^ haler ' 7^^ .'..'Mt,' a'::.-passenger-stoamor In my opinion,. . the"-". W-called lifeboats;, on all 'steamers, are far too big 1 ' tieavy, and ;ciimbersome::to : 'handle.'.quickly!' £°°drluck'they do' got awa.y from' a-.sh p ;_they are: most, awkward : - things ho' ; handle in comparison,; with: V: whalebSkt:''■■■' A . t; t ' l . tt6 l r , e ! 1 ? ;tinies-■ we have : heard a-good deal,about .-boat drill. I havelately, talcori a ; .vpyage to .England and back, afcd onlv oii line of-..steamers.-was the -so-called boat drill attempted, and this ■is the sort of:farce .it,was: At noon on Sunday tho -men were' summoned to-their respective boats. . These men consisted of two deck- hands "and three or.four stewards to each boat, tho :remmder 'of the boats' crews, probably consisting of 'engineers and .firemen, being on '■ ft bsar in - mind that- many: .of ,these., stewards- and . firemen- are' 'working f -'constantly;: at* '£h"ih officers ,march; round':'the' slup, 1, can only supposo -to see that every . ! ls . elean; and .tidyi' The: boat drill" is ovor, and the passengers are; pleased',. with' tho show! At one of these shows the^crew attempted to get a big, heavy lifeboat out ot. the choelis. Ihe/ operation: wag ' never repeatd; as; they had 'knocked ,a' hole,' in the boat. ; 11ns is .the sort, of rubbish landsmen boat '"drni! to s "' a,!oH " . tho name of ' the boats;, pro! etc., ■ I have; never seen it done at nflW 1° 13 no ® xous ® for this,: as ;both ofiicers and.. men' on ocean steamers havo anv quantity.p - leisure time. .There is another source of danger to, life on ocean steamers ! observed on two or three .occasions ' stewl wds going .below into ..the. storeroom, 'where ■there is.a-lot «f loose straw and paper lyine .about,., with ,pipes and ; mouths. I called., the-,attention-'of one of hfedf°nnr °p^ctic^but v bleVhlmself about it; "'. Men are not allowed to smoke down- the bold of a steamer at the wharf,.'but at sea no notice appears . tp, be taken' of '■ it'.—l : am, "to?, ' - :New Plymouth, February 22. v .

i, A J ra sacred' concert is to. be given- at the Basilica, • Hill Street, on. Sunday ne^t iL av'll™ e "n ot the,; Choir; assisted 'bv the Williamson Opera Company, and the Proceeds are to be derated to the Penguin Fund R P ces from Mozart, ffafdn gS " 6 among tho items off the: