STRANDING OF THE NIWARU.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 953, 28 July 1903, Page 3

STRANDING OF THE NIWARU.

THE ENQUIRY.

' By Telegraph—Press Association. Napier, last night. The Niwaru enquiry opened this morning beforo Mr Turnbull, 8.M., and Captains Tonkin and Post, nautical assessors. In his evidence Captain Fishwick, master o£ the Niwaru, deposed that he ran the steamer at knots from Portland light into port. When the vessel struck ho could only see the Bluff light, but immediately afterwards got a glimmer of the shore lights, and shortly afterwards noticed the blue lights burned by the harbormaster. Thu ship’s course was altered from north-east to east in consoquonco of the shock, not on account of having seen any light. Orders were given , to reduce steam at 8 o’clock when off Portland. It was usual to go at the speed they were travelling to within four miles I of the anchorage. Soundings wero taker immediately the vessel struck, but he die not know thore was any water in the holt until she anchored, when he informed tlic pilot. Continuing, Captain Fishwick said there Was a bay in the direction of the port, and a bank in steering to the westward. He did not think ho had overrun his course. A man was continually at the load. He did not want any blurno attaehod to any of the other officers, but would take it ail himself. The patent log was fairly correct, but sometimes showed a bigger running than had taken place.

THE CAPTAIN’S STATEMENT. 'POET BADLY LIGHTED FOR FOREIGN VESSELS. (Per Press Association.) NAPIER, las'.o night. The Niwafu enquiry) was continued this afternoon, Captain Fisiiwick said that by, his calculations he would have been ten > miles off at 8 o’clock. He did not see the land up to the time of turning. The steam had been eased at 8 o’clock. lie thought now it would have beeu more prudent to have altered the ship’s course at a Quarter past eight o’clock. When the vessel struck, he gave orders to go lull speed ahead. I-Ie did this because he thought it was too close in, and he gave this order to get her off. He did not think it was the 35foot patch on which the vessel struck, 'as that was only a quarter of a mile from the breakwater, and, he made the red light on the breakwater to be fully a mile away when the steamer touched. He considered the port very badly lighted for foreign-going vessels, but all right for coasters.

Captain Maxwell, of the steamer Tokomaru, stated that he considered the port not well lighted for foreigngoing vessels. Mr jYoung, chief engineer of the Niwaiu, corroborated the captain’s (evidence as to the position of the vessel when she touched, and the orders given. The captain was on the bridge all the time. Mr Anderson, carpenter of the steamer, also corroborated the previous statements. He did not see any shore lights' until the vessel touched. She appeared to touch lightly. With the chief officer lie too* soundings in all the holds, and found water in No. 4 hold. He repeated the soundings on going to the anchorage, 'and found the water gaining rapidly. The "enquiry will be resumed tomorrow .

STEAMER TO LEAVE TO-DAY FOR AUCKLAND.

Per Press Association. NAPIER, last night. Tire pumps on the Niwaru to-day have kept the water in cheek, although little progress has been m'ade in reducing it. This morning a diver made an examination, and ascertained that there' is a hole about a foot square in the No. 4 hold/ near the turn of the bilge. A paunch mat has been made, and was placed in position this afternoon. . It is expected that the water will be pumped out of the hold sufficiently to-morrow (Tuesday) to allow of the vessel being taken to Auckland for repairs.