MISHAP TO THE LAURA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 253, 21 July 1919, Page 3

MISHAP TO THE LAURA

TROUBLE OFF THE HEADS EVIDENCE AT THE COURT OF INQUIRY AN ERROR OP JUDGMENT. A Nautical Court of Inquiry on Friday investigated the causes of a uriehap to the barquentine Laura, which, on June 28 liwt, struck a reef outside Wellington Heads. Tho president of the Court was Mr. W. G. Biddell, S.M., and the assessors wore Captain C. M'Arthur and Captain G. Edwards. Counsel engaged in tho case were: Mr. G. G. G. Watson, for tho owner (Mr. Charles H. Cole); Mr. A. H. Barnett, for the Harbour board; Mr. J. Prcmdovillo, for tho Warmo Department; and Itv. K. Kirkoaldio, for the captain of the Laura. A. G. Taylor, captain of the Laura, which came to New Zealand from Sap Francisco with case oil, said that the Laura was barquentine rigged, and o 326 tons. On the date of the accident, a; witness auprimohed Poncirrow light, the liffht looked much closer than it should 'have looked. About a quarter to eight in tho evening the look-out reported rooks or land abeam. Witness took the nlaco to bo the West Ledue. Ho had not been to Wellington before. After ho thought, he was clear of tho West Ledgq ho ! hauled tho ship up to the wind. Ho stfw a very bright light about north-half-west, which he took to be Bomca I Island light. Ho was using a very small scale chart, as lie 'had found it impossible to obtain- a larger one. The chart was n "blue-back" chart, not a recognised AdnjLrolty chart. As the vessel proceeded, the !cftk-out reported "land ahead." It aoonied to be near, and he gave his orders accordingly, trying to avoid striking-. Tho ship appeared to touch forward, and then to touch again and get off. Tho wells wero sounded, and three feet of water was found to be in her. The pumps were manned, and kept going for n while. The next sounding indicated that tho water was gaining, bo an ondeavour was made to start tflie motor: pump. He iorbade the use of lights in the hold, as tho benzine m smelling very strong. They could not get tho motor pump to work. When it was found that tho water could not bo kept under, a distress signal was sent up. The tuj-boat Pelican took the Laur.t in tow, and the harbourmaster later took command of the shij>. To the president: Just before the vieel struck, the wind was not steady c all. The sea was moderate. Tho ship'e compass, witness continuei was not moving too freely, owing to shrinkage of the wood. Before the <k cident occurred ho had thought he wouli pass Pencarrow and reacli an anchorage, then eignal for a pilot. In reply to Mr. Kirkcaldie, witness detailed the steps he had taken in Sau Francisco to provide himself with adequate information about the port of Wellington. There had been a difficulty in obtaining charts during the war. The Laura was blown offshore when she first neaved New Zealand, and for a time ehe sheltered behind Stephens Island. Wliwi land was reported on the night of tho accident, witness first kopt away, a bit, then boro towards Pencarrow, considering that by doing so lie would clear Barrett's Eeef and find anchorage jiist inside Pencarrow, Alfred E. Purvis, a master mariner yith some experience of the port of Wellington, was called by >'-. KirkwUdie. He said that it would bo "easy for one unfamiliar with the port to think as he came from westward that he was ijt some distance f.rom Pencarrow light when he was roally close to it. P. Towlisend, mate of the Laura, corroborated tho captain's evidence. He insisted that tho compasses aboard were quito inadequate for navigation. When rocks were sighted a'hend, the master gave- orders to " 'bout ship," but a guet of wind filled the sails and tho ship paid off. Tho master then gave t'ho order to "wear ship." C. H. Cole, owner of the. Laura, stated that the loss incurred through tho mishap ainourited only to between .£3O and l'sO. Tho ship was well found in every respect. He had received no complaint from the master about tho compass. Tho Court found that tho direct cause of the casualty was a sudden gust of wind, which filled the sails as the vessel was being put about to avoid running into land on the port bow. The casualty had been contributed to by an error of judgment on'the part of the captain iu attempting to make an anchorage in tho harbour under darkness and without any local knowledge of the lights or adequate charts. The Court was of opinion that the ship should have been "hove-to" till daylight and a pilot siirnalled for. It ordered the certificate of the captain to be returned on payment of one-half of the costs of tho inquiry. It nleo directed that the mate's certificate be returned.