HARBOUR COLLISION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 294, 6 September 1920, Page 6

HARBOUR COLLISION

DUCHESS AND RUAHINE

FOG SIGNAL ON QUEEN'S WHARF

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The Court found that tho casualty octeurrcd through tho Duchess overrunning Uicr distance in a. thick fog while approaching the Queen's Wharf, and colliding with tho Kuahifae, which was jmoored nt the wharf. Although the master, John Lowry, look tho same precautions, and adopted the same methods in. approachius tho wharf from Point Jcrningham through tho fog as on previous occasions, yet theso were insufficient to tho conditions then prevailing, «ud tho casualty was contributed to by an error of judgment on his part in un-der-estimating the speed of his vessel, nnd in naming at full speed for threo ininufoa into the increasing fog before taking steps to reduce his speed or stop, ffhe Court considered that by following the practice adopted on previous occasions in foggy weather tho master was also misled through tho density of Hie fog whieh.-prevented Mm picking up tho Queen's Wharf r,s expected, after running for four minutes at reduced speed, and made tho collision inevitable «aifnough tho engines were then stopped. The ..Court found that tho casualty was not contrilbuted to by the wrongful act or default of any other officer or member of the crew of the s.s. Duchess "The Court is of opinion," tho finding concluded, "that a fog signal of somo distinct ..character should be installed by tae WelFaigtbn Harbour Board on the tower of the Queen's Wharf, and sounded during foggy weather for tho guidanco and benefit of vessels requiring to approach the wharves during such conditions. The master's certificate will be returned, but the Court orders that ho

;pny one-half of the costs of this inquiry-"

The Court was presided over by' Mr. •W.'G. Biddell, S.M.. and the assessors were: Captain G. G- Smith. Captain W. J[usr, and Mr. W. Hood, murine engineer. Mr.E. K. Kirkcaldie appeared for Captain Lowry, of the Duchess, Mr. A. W. Bluiv for tho owners of the Duchess, Mr T. Young for the insurance company, Mr. M. Mj-pts for the captain and owners of tlio'Bunhine, Mr. J. F. B. Stevenson for the Harbour Board, and Mr. J. Prendoville for the Marine Department.