NAUTICAL ENQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1493, 29 June 1905, Page 3

NAUTICAL ENQUIRY.

[(Per Press Association. 1 ) Auckland, last night. The inquiry into the wreck of the British barque Emerald on North Spit at the entrance to the Kaipara harbor on June 15th was held to-day before Mr Kettle, 8.M., and Captains Adamson and Campbell, nautical assessors, Mr Martin appeared far Captain Bushell. Mr Bose, collector of customs, said that the question at issue was whether the master was justified in entering the harbor in such weather and so early in the day. After hearing evidence as to how the wreck occurred, Mr Martin, addressing the Court, submitted that the only matter for the Court to consider was whether the error of judgment shown by the captain was such as to lead the Court to order him to pay the cost of the inquiry. The position of the captain was that of a man who had been trading for a great number of years on the coast, and who was called upon to decide suddenly upon- the adoption of a course for the safety of his vessel and crew. The courso the captain had adopted in the present instance was not unreasonable, but it bad turned out under the circumstances to havo been an error of judgment. Alter the vessel had got into her dangerous position it bad been clearly shown that the captain had takon the wisest and only safe course to provide lor the safety of his crew. The Court decided that Captain Bushell committed an error of judgment in attempting to enter Kaipara Harbor uader the existing conditions, but that tbo error did not warrant the * Court in suspending his certificate. L He was, however, ordered to pay t-he coats - of the inquiry, Ull 18s.