THE WOOLLAHRA WRECK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2138, 22 July 1907, Page 1

THE WOOLLAHRA WRECK.

XATTICATj IfINQTTIJ?.y. I’ross Association. AVKhUNGTON,- >Saliirday. All enquiry, concerning the "reck ol' the barque Wooiluhra at Terawhiti, on Saturday last, was oiioneil yesterday, before Dr. McArthur, with whom Captains Darkiu and \V. J. Gray were associated as assessors. Alexander Foote, chief mate of the Woollnhro, said that alter the tun left the ship at Wellington Heads on Sunday he was on the watch until 8 o’clock in the evening, lie was then relieved by the second mate. Captain Adrcnsen was also on deck, and there had been no difficulty in handling the vessel. Ho went below, and was due on watch again at midnight, lint about, ten minutes before that he was aroused by shouts ol “All hands on cleek,” and found the ship ashore. Witness then described the experience of the crew on the vessel and their escape ashore in the dingy. He tried to persuade the captain the leave, but be refused, saving lie would remain until daylight, lie could not account for the wreck, from the position the vessel was in when he surrendered charge. Her going ashore was a mystery, even ill face of a. change ill the weather.

Gough, the second mate, said the wreck occurred in his watch. He did. not sec the chart, and although he know the relative position of the.light on Fenca rrow Head, he could not now point out on the chart the position the -skip was in when he relieved the mate. The captain went below at 9.30, hut returned to the deck at 10.io, when the wind, which had! been northerly, changed to southerly. There had been no change in the ooiu-se. up till then. Land was reported to leeward at 11.30, and the captain went to the forecastle I head and changed the course, Soon after breakers were seen ahead, and the barque struck. The captain told witness and the crew to get ashore as best they could, but be would remain for daylight. Witness was for going ashore straight away, but the men said “No; we will stick to the: captain.”

Counsel: .Did the captain give you any of his things ?—Yes, his watch and about £136 to be given to his wife if lie did not get ashore. He gave me these in his cabin. Have von anything to say against the navigation?—No. What do you attribute the wreck to?—She must have steered too close in.

After the evidence of a ■ ouplc of seamen had been heard, a lad named Felton, aged 18, an ordinary seaman, said he was last with the captain. He_ went below trying to persuade the captain to got into the dinghy. (Witness was putting a life belt on at the time, and said to the skipper, “Cfome, you have got your wife and children to look after.” The captain started for the deck, but turned and went down.again, saying, “No, I’ll stick to the ship.” Witness followed him down, trying to persuade him to leave. Then he heard the men on dock crying, “Shove olF,” and the captain said, “Good-bye, boys, ; and look after yourselves. I’ll stay.” Witness could stay no longer, and going on to the deck was pulled over the rail into the dinghy. Hej had previously lieard the two mates'trying to get the captain to leave tho shin. Them was 3ft of water in the skipper’s cabin when witness left him, and tho captain walked into that and sat down on. a settee. As the dingliv was shoved away the vessel gave a lurch and the cabin filled. Tho Court gave its decision as follows :—(1) The casualty was not caused or contributed to by negligent navigation, or by any other negligence, carelessness or default.ou tho part of any person or persons on the shin • 12) tho cause of the casualty wassail error,of judgment on the part of the master as to the position of the ship when the wind shifted at or about 10.30 p.m. The Court considers the officers and members of Hie crew did all that was possible after the vessel struck. J.t mentioned with commendation the action, of the second mate. William Gougli; also tho action of Walter Fenton, an ordinary seaman, and the seaman llonig.