KAPANUI COLLISION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1650, 17 January 1906, Page 2

KAPANUI COLLISION.

CAPTAIN SOUTHGATE BLAMED. LIGHT PUNISHMENT. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The Nautical Court in the ClaymoreKapanui collision suspended the certificate of Captain Southgate, of tbo Kapanui, for twelve months for improper and negligent navigation, and ordered him to pay the costs of the inquiry. Notice of appeal was given. The Coutt was of the opinion that when Captain Southgate found his red light extinguished and knew the Claymore oould only Bee the greon and masthead ligh's, ho should have continued showing the greon light and given a whistle signal accordingly, or have stopped or reversed. He had at least two courses open, one prudent and comparatively safe under existing conditions, the other obviously dangerous, and he chose the latter course. The Court is forced to the conclusion that Captain Southgate was sololy responsible. The filling and trimming of the lamps were left to inexperienced, irresponsible youths. The Kspanui’s look-out was not vigilant. Greater care should bo exercised on these points by masters. Captain Mewitt wes plaoed by the Kapanui's changed course in apo i;ioo of great difficulty. He took the only course open to him, by signaling full speed astern. Ho was ccol, collected, and doing his best to avert a collision end the rescue of passenger*. He was, however, not justified in directing the look-out to attend to luggage- It was css ntial that the look-out should devote attention antirely to looking-out. Captain Southgate’s certificate would bo suspended for 12 months. He must pay the costs of the inquiry. The Court recommended that }he authorities should remove the doubt is to the application of the narrow channel ■ule to Auckland harbor, or define tho lourses to be steered, and should define noderate spoed as relating to the provenion of collisions. They Bhould oompel lower ships in river or extended river imits to carry a sufficient specified crew o ensure safety of ibo ship and passengers, tbo crow according to tho existing aw being unsatisfactory. The authorities hould also more rigidly enforce tho regu« ations for tho prevention of collisions and naintain a sufficient staff of water polioe. Japtaiu Hewitt's certificate was returned