TONGAEIRO WRECK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2878, 16 September 1916, Page 10

TONGAEIRO WRECK

INQUIRY OPENS THE CAPTAIN IN THE BOX WAS THERE A SET ?

An inquiry into, the wreck of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Tongariro was opened yesterday. Mr. W. 6. Riddell, S.M., presided, and tho assessors "■were Captains H. Johnson (Wellington) and Reid (Auckland). Mr. V. It. Meredith appeared for the .Marine Sir. it. Myers for the New Zealand Shipping Company, Mr. A. Gray for Captain Makepeace, and Mr. H. Buddie for Chief Officer Ballard. The first witness was Captain Harry Makepeace, master of the Tongariro, who said that the Tongariro left Auckland at one o'clock on August 29, aud was off East Capo at about 10 a.m. on September 30. Mr. Meredith: Did you take a bearing at Cable Cane? Captain Makepeace: I did not. Why?—"Bee'auso it is not usual for tho master to take bearings. The officers usually do that." His Worship: Did any of the officers take a bearing there ? , Captain Makepea'ce: No. Captain Makepeaco added that his standing orders were to take bearings at'every available point. He produced a book in ■which these orders were written and signed by the chief, second, third, and fourth officers. At 5.45, when he altered the course, the chief officer was on the bridge. He gavo tho chief-officer instructions for the al-_ teration of the course, but did. not mention anything about taking a bearing. Mr. Meredith: When did the chief officer go on the bridge? Captain Makepeace: Four o'clock. j Steering Clear of the Rock. Did you see the Falcon Light when you camo up at a quarter to seven? — I '"I did." "Which way was it showing?—"On the starboard how." Did you ask tho chief officer if he had checked Ms position?— !r No. _ Ho had said that sho was going all right, and I naturally thought from that that he had done so." His "Worship: What was the weather like, then? Captain-Makepeace: Fine. Mr. Meredith: The .chief officer wont down to tea then?—" Yes." .Beforo he went you altered .your course?-—'"Yes, a point out from tho coast." t , "What time was it "then? —"6.48." What was your reason? —"I thought I would like to make sure, and go well clear of the rock." I-low far did you estimate she would clear the rock by?—" The course 1 was steering should have, taken her two miles clear of' it." When you altered this courso at G. 48, you'took no stops to find out if the ship's position had been ascertained?—" No. I took the bearing myself." * But after you altered the courso? —• "•Yes." So that you altered the courso -without ascertaining if tho ship's position had been checked by tho officers?— "Yes."' You took bearings off Portland lighthouse? —"Yes." With what result?—"lt put nio a mile and. a half inside the original courso." What did you do next?—"l was going on to the bridge to " Vessel Strides Bull Rock. Well?—" Just as I got to tho foot of the ladder the red sector over Bull Rook camo into view." AYliat happened then?—" She immediately struck Bull Rock." After the vessel struck, what did you do?—" The wireless distress was sent off, and all the boats were swung out." Did. you stop tho engines?—" Yes, and all the holds were sounded." With what result? —"It was reported that No. 1, 2, and 3 woro full of water." The Koutumii, came alongside, and picked up the various boats with tho crew in?—" Yes." ' There was ho loss of life, and the vessel is still on tho rock?—" Yes." Can I put this to you: That a portion of a coast liko this with a rock outlying a light is" regarded as a dangerous place? —"Yes." Then it is a. place, requiring ;very careful navigation?—" Quite" so." You would not he safe until you were to -the south of a bearing drawn from Portland over Bull Rock?—" That" is so." Until then, was it a time to exercise great care?—" Certainly." _ Do you suggest it was right to estimate a course whicli would carry you only two miles off Bull Rock without having the position of the ship definitely ascertained? —"No, I tTo not." Was it not your duty in taking tho ship past Bull Rock to see that the position had been ascertained Before relying on that course? —"1 relied on the chief officer." . Was it or was it not your duty? His Worship: I don't think you can put that question. , Mr. Gray: How long have, you been in the New Zealand Shipping Company's service? Captain Makepeace: About thirteen years. . How many voyages to New Zealand have you made? —"About twenty-four, to twenty-six." Aud you have been up that coast many times? —"Yes, often." You say that the course you laid was' safe and prudent?—" Yes." Two miles is sufficient. by which to clear Bull Rock?—" Yes; in fine weather." 'Up to this time had you orders ro taking bearings been carried Had you taken steps to see that they were? —"Yes; they were carried out.". You had a careful and capable staff I of officers ? —"Yes." As to the chief officer, was this his first voyage with your I —"Yes." And therefore did you take steps to observe if he was attentive to his duty? —"I did.- Ho was very attentive. Coming round East Capo in the morning he was exceptionally attentive." " Evidence of a Set. I am sorry to have to ask you this, in the circumstances, but if a hearing had been taken at Table Cape, is it reasonable to suppose that the disaster/ would have occurred? —"No. -1 don't think it is reasonable." What would tho result have been ?— "it would have revealed that she was inside her original course." Did you observe a strong westerly set? —"No." What is your belief about it now?— "J believe there was a set." Apart from tho set, you had overrun your course? —"Yes." To what do you attribute that?—"To the set also." Have you learned sincc that there was a set? —"1 have heard sftmet'hing, about one." Air. Gray (to the Court): AYc propose. to call evidence about that. Mr. Gray: How long have you been at sea?—" Thirty-nine years." Have you had any other disaster? — "I was stranded once on the Queensland coast." With a«pilot, or without? —"With a pilot. Tho pilot was hold solely responsible."

And you wore sunk by a pirate last year?—" Yes." Chief Officer Gives Evidence. The next witness was Percy John Ballard, tho chief officer, who said that ho went on watch at -1 p.m. Not until tho vessel struck did lie reckon the ship was inside her course. Ho thought she was on a safe course. When ho came on duty, ho checked tho course that was sot two miles off Bull Rock. Ho did not observe any set. Ho should say now that from Ariel Rocks to Bull Rock tho ship had overrun her distance. At Bull Rock she was three miles ahead ol' expectations. He could oidy account for tlio wreck by. a set which was unnoticeable. AVilliam Ernest Wlielan, A.8., Walter Einmett, quartermaster, and John B. Davis, second officer, also gavo evidence. Davis said there must have been a westerly set. Ho had laid off the ship's position in the chart room, and just as he had finished the captain had entered. To Mr. Buddie: The ship must have been set in to have struck where she did. The inquiry stands adjourned till Wednesday at 10.30 a.m., by which time -witnesses from Tokomaru Bay are expected to be present.