COOK STRAIT INCIDENT

Evening Star, Issue 19804, 1 March 1928, Page 3

COOK STRAIT INCIDENT

THE INQUIRY ADJOURNED OKE PASSENGER ALLEGES DANGER (.Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 29. The Cook Strait navigation incident of February 3 was the subject of a nautical inquiry opened at the Magistrate’s Court this morning by Air W. G. Riddell, S.M. The vessels concerned were the liner Maunganui, bound from Wellington to Sydney, and the ferry steamer Tamahine, bound from Wellington to Picton. Both vessels are owned by the Union Steam Ship Company, and that company had already held an official inquiry into the allegation that on the date in question the passengers on these vessels were much alarmed by the close proximity of the Maunganui and the Tamahine when they were travelling in the vicinity of Karori Rock. As a result of that inquiry both captains were deprived of their respective commands and placed in charge of cargo vessels. By direction of the Minister of Marine (Mr G. J. Anderson) to-day a nautical inquiry was held in pursuance of section 239 of the Shipping and Seamen Act into the question whether, on February 3, “ the masters of cither or of both ships did navigate their vessels in such a manner as to endanger the safety of either of or both of the said ships.” Mr J. Pvcndcrvillc (Crown Law Officer) and Captain W. Wilcox (superintendent of the Mercantile Marine, Wellington) appeared for the Marine Department. Air G. G. White and Captain Foster (marine superintendent ol the Union Steam Ship Company) watched the proceedings on behalf ol the Union Steam Ship Company. Mr C. A. L. Treadwell represented Captain Arthur Henry Davey (late master of the Maunganui), Mr E. K. Kirkcaldie, with him Mr E. Parry appeared for Captain John Edward M'Clellan (late master of the Tamahine), and Mr O. C. Mazengarb, instructed by the Marine Engineers’ Institute, appeared for the engineers of both vessels. [The evidence of the masters of the vessels that there was never any danger appeared in yesterday’s issue.] Sydney Charles Angus, second officer of the Maunganui, detailed the movements of the two vessels, and said the Tamahine was the overtaking ship all through, and there was no suggestion of racing. The Maunganui’s speed was normal. Robert Graham, second engineer ol the Maunganui, said the log showed that for four voyages to Sydney there had been practically no difference in the revolutions of the engines. Arthur Leigh Hunt, company director, a passenger to Sydney on the Maunganui, said he saw no danger at any time. The Tamahine went astern, and the Maunganui was about one and a-half lengths away. He heard no comment at all. There was nothing to be alarmed about. There was not the slightest chance of the ships colliding. The Maunganui, when the Tamahine turned across to go astern of her, was travelling too quickly for the Tamahine to get near enough for a collision. David Milligan, merchant tailor, a passenger on the Tamahine, said his attention was forcibly drawn to the ship’s position when the Maunganui shot round and across the bows of the Tamahine. The big ship kept right on, and it appeared to him that the Taraahino escaped collision by not more than the width of the court room. The excitement caused considerable alarm among the passengers, many of whom signed a document protesting against the action of the big ship. Witness admitted that nautical men knew more of the distance and circumstances than lavnien. The Tamaliino sounded three blasts when about 40ft from the other ship, and if the Tamahine had not slackened speed there would have been a' collision. There seemed to him to he great consternation on board the Maunganui. It was the Maunganui, not the Tamahine, which swung round at right angles. Cyril Batchelor, with a plain view from the shore, said the Maunganui was ahead all the time. The Tamahine passed astern, and it never appeared there was any danger of a collision. The Maunganui altered her course very gradually. The inquiry was adjourned to Friday, as, in view of Mr Milligan’s statement, other passengers might want to come forward. If not. said the magistrate, lie would give his decision then.