THE DEFIANCE WRECK.
DECISION OF’ COURT, PRESS ASSOCIATION Auckland, last night. The nautical inquiry into the wreck of the Defiance, stranded at Ivaipara Harbour, concluded yesterday. Hobert S. Jones, signalman at Kaipara Heads, stated that on the 27th of August he saw the Defiance beating up He was at the signal station three quarters of a mile frow the light-house. He made no signal to the Defiance, because he did not see her in a dangerous position. He did not see her again till she had taken ground. He was unable to see her during the remainder of the morning, because of the haze and drifting sand. Doing recalled, Captain "White said that it was quite possible that the vessel might be obscured from the signal station, although he could clearly see the staff. At the time, however, he thought the signalman could sec the Defiance. In giving his finding His Worship said that the decision of the Court was unanh mous. The Court considered that the loss
of the vessel arose from the master some*' what imprudently standing in too close to the beach before tacking, and the vessel being close hauled and under small sail, had not sufficient way on to ensure her going round In consequence of this, and an inshore current counter to the flow of the tide, of which the master stated he was unaware, the vessel fell off, and at once took ground All reasonable and seamanlike efforts were then made to get out of the difficulty, but as two hour’s Hood tide had still to run, and the wind was blowing from the N.E , the vessel gradually went lirmer on the bank, where she eventually remained. Semaphore signals were not used, the signalman being unable to sec the vessel before she stranded, and being unaware that she was standing into danger. The Court was of opinion that the signalman in charge
at the time was not sufficiently ex** perienced and competent to act as such. They did not think it desirable or jutiiiable to suspend the Captain’s certificate.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1856, 10 September 1906, Page 2
Word Count
345THE DEFIANCE WRECK. Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1856, 10 September 1906, Page 2
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