STRIKING OF THE POHERUA

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 October 1901, Page 3

STRIKING OF THE POHERUA

(per press association)

Wellington, Oct 29. An inquiry into the striking of the steamer Poherua between Tower Rocks and Cape Stevens on the 15th inst was held to-day before Mr Haselden, S. M., and, Captains Kddlcj and Smith, assessors,

Charles Adams, captain of the Poherna, gate evidence that lie left Lyttelton for Westport on the 14th. After passing Cape Campbell he steered a course to clear Jag Eoek. The weather became hazy and he decided to take the passage between Cape Stevens and Stevens’ Island He failed to pick up Tower Eock but could sec <lie Cape. Ordered the enginc. vs to wand by, then to go slow ahead. »v i be <3 .>• i ho rock and went full speed aii ■ ad wifi-, b.-i’n bard aport. The ship answered slowly and touched slightly along the port bilge. She iloatcd off in tln ee hours and ho came on to Wc'lington, Ho attributed the accident to the strong ebb tide. The passage Was usually taken by Union boats bound for the West Coast; He had been 38 year's at sea and 27 years as master dnd never had art accident Ja fore. Confirmatory evidence was given by the second officer. The Court decided that Captain Adams pursued the usual course for vessels of the class of the Eoherua. There was extra hazard iu taking the channel inside Steven’s Island on a foggy afternoon, but the Court said they did not find him guilty of negligence under the circumstances. r J he set of the tide and fog combined to bring about a situation under which the master took the only possible course to retrieve his position. He was justified in taking the passage, and the fog came on when ho was in a position in which it would have been more hazardous to alter his course than to pursue it.

No order was made as to costs, and the master's certificate was returned.