NAUTICAL INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3038, 27 March 1917, Page 7

NAUTICAL INQUIRY

By Telegraph—Press Association,

Auck|and, March 26. At the nautical inquiry in the colIjsion between tho Arahura and a Horn© liner, Francis George Mabb, third officer of the Arahura, said he was on the bridge tho tinio of fclie accident. He saw tho Homo liner move, and the master gave the order "Hard a-port," and stopped the engine. The Arahura swung to starboard about two points, and the other ship followed up. The more the Arahura went to starboard, the more the other ship followed up. Just a little before tho impaot she was put full speed ahead and hard astarboard. Witness promptly transmitted these orders., The Arahura had passed the bows of tho Wimmera only a few seconds when the order was given "Hard a-port." Immediately afterwards witness was ordered to stop both engines. When the Arahura passed the Wimmera these two vessels were perhaps two hundred yards apart. John Donald Nicholson, A.B. on the Arahura, who was at the wheel, gave ovidenoe as to the orders received, and said the. liner appeared to be following the Arahura. When starboarded he. noticed the green and mast lighton the liner] When ho went to the wheel he did not seo any riding light on her, and he was tinder the impression she was moving'. Captain R. OlifE, instructor of navigation, Auckland, gavo evidence as to the damage to the Araluira. Tho inquiry adjourned until Wednesday.