PYRAMUS COURT-MARTIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2130, 12 July 1907, Page 2

PYRAMUS COURT-MARTIAL.

United Press Association—Copyright Received July 12, 0.12 a.m. SYDNEY. July 11. The Court-Martial found Commander Fitzmaurice of the Pyramus guilty of an error of judgment in leaving 1 he bridge without giving an order that Hurst should remain on the bridgo until the C Reef was passed. It expressed appreciation oi the seamenlike abilities of the whole'crew in refloating the vessel. Received July 12, 0.3 a.m. SYDNEY, July 11. At the Court-Martial Commander Fitzmaurice was arraigned and charged with negligence or default For bo pro; edition Captain Gowpcr of the J’spche said he would not allow i Warrant-Officer to keep watch inside the Barrier Reef. .11 it was impossible to anchor at night he would prefer to take charge himself it no commissioned officer was available, [n open waters he had allowed his rivn warrant officer to keep watch. Braitliwaite stated that until the jourse was altered by Colhngwood he had never known it to be done without the Commander’s permission or knowledge. G'ollingwood had irenuently kept u'ateh inside the Barrier Reef. ‘ Hurst stated he instructed dollingwood to take the ’.vatcli with,ut reference to the Commander. He :aid. despite regulations, he consider:d he was justified in leaving the bridge as the course was the longest md clearest, they would have throughout that day. The Commander knew nothing of his leaving the bridge. The vessel was kept running night md dav to enable the Govern or-Geno-,-al to' keep an appointment. Commander Fitzmaurice in his statement aid ho placed the ship on a safe •ourse which if maintained would have cleared all danger by eight cable lengths, with a clear run of fifteen •niles, by which time he would have been on' deck again. It was„ impossible for him to see why Collingwood, ,vho was reliable, should have altered •-lie course without informing him, especially as lie was in the cliarthouse within a few feet.