LOSS OF S.S. JANE DOUGLAS.

Dominion, Issue 1337, 15 January 1912, Page 4

LOSS OF S.S. JANE DOUGLAS.

9 THE CAPTAIN'S EVIDENCE. (By Telcgrapb-Prcss Association.) Nelson, January U. , A nautical inquiry into tho wreck of the steamer Jane Douglas, which occurred between Stephens Island and D'Urvillc Isl.-uid on Wednesday morning, opened to-day l>efore Mr. .(. S. Evans, S.M., and Captains M'Nab and Grey, sitting as assessors. i Captain Watson, of tho Pateena, said that tlio Stepiicus Island passage was deemed dangerous, and was prohibited by the Union Company and tho Westport Coal Company, but tho Blackball Company's boats used it. The passage was not dangerous for a boat like tlio Jane Douglas. It was not necessary for the master to take soundings nt night, but, if tho land was obscured, ho should go outside the island. It was quito prudent of Captain Vcudore to take tho passage on Tuesday night. Charles Venuore, master of the Jnno Douglas, stated that all his experience had bcon gained on tho Wellington-West Coast run. He had taken tho Wainvu through the Stephens Island passage, where tlio tide rip was experienced for only a few minutes, while, outside the island, it would continue lor a couple of hours. The Jane Douglas was a good steering vessel, and was well found. She was not insured. On the Tuesday night the weather was overcast, but the moon ivas up. When seven miles from Stephens Island ho changed his course. It was then blowing hard from the southeast, and tliwo wns a considerable sea. Tower Rock, on which he struck, was half a mile out from the mainland. He could make out tho mainland easily, and went by thai. He did not see tho rock before the vessel struck owing to the pea breaking over it. Ho was steaming 8J knots at the time. After striking, the engineer informed him that the shaft was broken, and tho propeller gone. Tlio weather boat wns got ready, tho vessel then being starboard on to tho reck, and tho life-boat, on (ho lee side, was nlso got ready in a minute, and east off as the vessel sank. Witness was then on the bridge, and wont down with tho ship, but was picked up by the boat. The only way in which he could account for (lie mishap wns that, being deceived by tlio rip, he misjudged his distance from (ho mainland. 110 reckoned that he. was (ho usual distance from (lie mainland, and, by observation and the compass, was all right. lie did not consider tlio passage dangerous, and never had anyone to stand-by when going through. The inquiry was adjourned till Monday.