NAUTICAL INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 246, 11 July 1919, Page 7

NAUTICAL INQUIRY

THE MISHAP TO THE WESTMORELAND FINDING OF THE COURT By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, July 10. An inquiry into tho mishap to tho Westmoreland when leaving tho Bluff on May 21 was opened before Mr. Cruiekshank, S.M., and Captains Neville and Suiulstruni. Captain Cornwall deposed that the harbour' pilot: took charge at 5.50 p.m., and had tho assistance of the tug. When getting.into t]m stream tho lug east oil and tile vessel went ahead slowly. Shortly alter, she struck. Tho weather was squally, but beacon lights were in view all the time. Tho grounding and the order "full speed ahead" Were (simultaneous after the striking. The wells were sounded, and it was reported that the vessel was making ivaler. Whom lie found the water could be controlled, tho pilot was discharged, and the ship proceeded ro Port Chalmers to dock. The telemeter had given trouble on occasions, but not more so than on other vessels. Ho told tho guartermastcr not, to put the helm over too quickly, so that it would not miss.

Continuing. Captain Cornwall said that after passing Stirling Point, he stated to the piloi that'lie was steering badly, and that it was the pilot's fault. He had no complaint to make regarding the manner in which the ship manoeuvred from, the wharf. All orders given by the pilot were promptly carried out. lie suggested that the vessel struck the Channel Bock.

B. C. Hnrbord, tho pilot, said that the vessel cast off from the wharf at 6.15 to get the benefit of high water. The vessel struck forward. She had plenty of way on to steer. Squalls rose after the vessel left the wharf. When he g.wo the order "Starboard helm" he noticed that tho vessel swung to starboard. Ho iiiiestioued the steersman, and was 'old that the helm was two turns to starboard. Ho ordered "Steady starboard," and .as she still swung ordered "Stop port" to the engines, followed by "Full speed starboard," "Slow astern port." Shortly after tho vessel struck.

. Counsel: Why wasn't the vessel kept on her course from No. 2 beacon?

Witness: "That's what I want to know." The beginning of the trouble seemed to be his order to starboard tho helm. After his order full ahead on the starboard engine and'slow ahead on the port the vessel still went to starboard. He thought now that when he ordered

"Steady starboard" the helmsman gavo the helm too much port, ''laptain Cornwall had warned him not to keep tho helm hard over long, as it might put tho telemeter out of order. ,

James Joseph Goldsmith, fourth officer, said that just before the vessel strack' he heard the order given to port. The senior apprentice and seventh engineer gave details, and the turns of the orders to the engines, . which did not include the order "Slow astern port" mentioned by Pilot Harbord. Thomas Arnold, quartermaster, who was helmsman at the time, said he kept the helm at port only once, but for tho minutes was steering with two turns to starboard. He added that, the vessel was working against her helm. After the accident he said that the steering gear broke down seven or eight -times on the voyage from England. The pilot made him' change the direction very often, and tho ship never got a chanc'o to right herself. , .

Counsel: Then you niado a mistake when you said that the steering gear was not reliable.

Witness: I did not, as Captain Cornwall would tell you if ho spoke tho truth. The officer who said tho helm was ported was wrong. '< The assessors, after fifteen minutes' retirement, gave a decision that the quartermaster mistook the order "Stop port" intended for tho engine room to be ."port helm." causing the boat to strike. This was the only feasible, explanation. Tho pilot was not'to blame. The assessors did not think it advisable to take ships heavily loaded out .at night.. All certificates were returned, and no order made as to costs. The Harbour Board was recommended to place a light on Dovey Bank.