INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSE OF THE WRECK OF THE S.S. AHURIRI.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2744, 2 December 1871, Page 2

INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSE OF THE WRECK OF THE S.S. AHURIRI.

Yesterday. (Before I. N. Watt, Esq., R.M., aud Captain Johnson, Assessor.) In the hurry of printing the evidence last evening some errors took place in that of Captain Corn, part of which should read as follows: “We generally try to get the fore-and-aft canvas to draw and stand to within half or three quarters of a mile of the shore and tack. He would not do so with a full power steamer that could steer head on. He should then steer right for Otago Heads. With an auxilia y steamer he should do so, &c. Aud in the last sentence, the word “ashore” has been printed, instead of in sho <r.

F. Renner, master of the s.s. Rangatira, sworn and examined 1 have been trading on the coast for 16 years. I have been in command of steamers for the last 10 years. I was never awaie of any danger existing between Da: ger Reef and Otago Heads. With a south-west gale blowing 1 certain y think 1 would go in as close to the shore as would be prudent. After passing danger Reef I have always hauled into the bight. Captain Johnson : How close in shore have you passed between Waikouaiti and Danger Reef?

Witness ; 1 have gone within a mile or a mile and a-half Mr Watt: You have said that under certain circumstances you would go as close in shore as would be prudent, and you say you have gone within a mile or a mile aud ahalf. I suppose you think a mile or a mile and a-half as close as would be prudent ? Witness : I do not that I went to the extreme verge of prudence. Judging from the appearance of the shore—and not know? ing of the existence of any danger—l would not hesitate to go within half a mile of the shore, as wc frequently do at many other parts of the coast. At five o’clock the Court gave thoir decision as follows:

“Captain MKinnon, the rock upon which the Ahuriri was wrecked not being upon the charts, or generally known, wp have decided to return to you your certitL date ; but we are both of opinion that you ran an unnecessary risk by going so close as three-quarters of a mile to the shore. We have also t > express our opinion that the keeping of the sluice valves in the watertight bulkheads open is a matter of grave ecusure. Had these been shut at the time of the accident, the vessel might possibly have floated off with the flood-tide, if damaged in only one compartment. And if the vessel had come off the rock when the engine was reversed, all or most of the pat • sengers and crew would have been drowned before they could have taken to the boats.”