NAUTICAL INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 73, 19 December 1919, Page 6

NAUTICAL INQUIRY

THE MISHAP TO THE KARORI.. By Telegraph—Pro3a Association. Dunedin, December 18. The Magisterial Inquiry into the mishap to tho steamer Kavori in Otago Harbour ivns opened to-day before Mr. H. 1. Widdowson, S.M., and Captains Manning and M'Arthur, assessors. .Tho master of the Karori, Captain Hopkins, fltatod that tho vessel took a sheer towards the rocky ledge. Ships trok sheers from tidal effect, and lining in the middle of the channel lie u-us prepared for Biich a thing happening, hut tho margin of safety was so small that by the tim« he pot the holm on the damage was dono. The ship had not time to answer her helm. There w<l9 no mention nf hugging Goat Wand in the exemptions.

Matthew Rohcrtson, chief engineer, said thai- tho vessel was stewing qnjte veil. Oaptajn Hopkins had taken nwre nrecautinns in reference tn steering- his pi ip than any other captain bo had served under .

H. L. P. Brown, chief officer, enid hn noticed the bow sheer to r/ort, and felt n bump. He had no idna what caused tho sheer.

Captain Thomson, harbourmaster, snid he would have apnronislieil *-he pnKsngo ns Captain Hopkinn had done, but lie might have, kept n little morn towards Goat Tslnnd, where the watov was deeper. Similar a«i<lpnls had liapppnpil there. The Magistrate announced Hint .a decision would be given next morning.