ENQUIRY INTO WRECK OF SCHOONER TRANSIT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3746, 18 July 1883, Page 2

ENQUIRY INTO WRECK OF SCHOONER TRANSIT.

A preliminary enquiry, in accordance with the Act, was hold last Friday into tho cause of tho wreck of tho schooner Transit, before the Collector of Customs and Captain Gleadow, Nautical Assessor. Tho Avitncsses examined were F. M. GarroAvay, the master, Alger Tunbridge, the mate, and C. JarAis, able-bodied seaman, of the illfated vessel. Tho evidence was also taken of Mr H. Kraeft, harbor master, and pilot, and T. Murray, the coxswain of tho pilot'sboat. The evidence brought to light littlo more than what our rcadors already arc acquainted with. Captain GarroAvay said that ho put into Napior for repairs, having lost his main-boom off Castle Point. On arriving lie understood from the harbor master that it would be safe to lie out in the roadstead, and from that he decided not to take her inside. The evidence of this Avitness was corroborated by that of Tunbride and Jarvis.

'Mr Kraeft in his evidence, stated that he had told Captain GarroAvay that it Avas safe for him to lie out in tho roadstead for a short time only, and he asked him if he should not send the Sir Donald steamer to toAV him inside. The captain replied that he would send a telegram to his owners before deciding to come in. The weather continued fine, but before tho new boom was finished the gale came on. T. Murray corroborated Mr Kraeft's evidence.

The Court considered that the master of the Transit committed an error of judgment in not bringing his vessel into harbor for repairs considering her disabled condition, notwithstanding any conversation he might have had Avith the harbor mastor as to the safety of remaining in tho roadstead. The eA-idence and the decision have been forwarded to Wellington.