NAUTICAL INQUIRIES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3987, 2 May 1884, Page 3

NAUTICAL INQUIRIES.

GitEYJiourn, This day. A preliminary inquiey into the stranding of the Orcti was held yesterday before tho Collector of Customs (Mr AVoon). The evidence of Captain Robertson, of the harbor-master, and of the chief officer of the Oroti was taken. According to the evidence of Captain Robertson ho was steaming dead slow, and tho lowest cast of the lead gave 13 feet. He did not take in a full load of coal in order that he might have no difficulty in getting into Hokittka, but as he was anxious to got there by a certain time, and thought their was an abundance of water on the bar, he went out about two hours before high water, which resulted in the vessel striking on the ridge, and in another quarter of an hour the roll set her on tho north beach, where she still remains, but little the worse for her mishap. Dunedin, This day. The Takapuna enquiry ended yesterday. The evidence having been concluded, the Court said, "At this stage of tbe enquiry we have to say—so that the parties inculpated may adduce any defence they maj' desire to offer —that we find the damage was done to the vessel in fouling the ground off the coast to the S.E. of Cape Egniont, and that it was caused by careless navigation through the fault of Captain Jones, and want of experience on tho part of Mr Sommer, the second mate." No evidence was called for the defence, but counsel addressed tho Court.