THE ENQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE RANGITIRA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2043, 10 September 1880, Page 2

THE ENQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE RANGITIRA.

SECOND EDITION

fßr TBrssBAPH.] NEW PLYMOUTH, September 10. The official enquiry into the circumstances attending the wreck of the a p. Rangitira commenced this morning, at half-past ten, before the Resident Magistrate and Captain Holford, Nautical Assessor. The Crown Prosecutor attended for the Collector of Customs. Mr Samuels appeared for the owners, the master, and chief engineer. Captain Harvey is now giving evidence. He says he left Onehunga on the 6th. He crossed the bar at 2.40, the weather being fine, with light winds. The steamer wo3 going at the rate of eight and a half miles an hour, until nine o'clook at night, when he ordered the speed to be reduced to six miles an hour. He took the bearings of Mount Bgmont at five o'clook in the evening when at Woody Head, which is about forty-four miles from Manukau bar. He went to his berth at a quarter to twelve, leaving the second mate in charge. At that time they were steering south by east half-east, being her direct course to tho roadstead. He left word to be called at 2 o'clock, when the chief mate came on watch. Did not got up as I wbb informed that the night was clear and beautiful, and that a steamer was passing on the port side. Told the mate to call me at three, but was roused by the steamer bumping. Immediately 1 ran upon the bridge, and rang the telegraph to put the Bteamer astern. The order was obeyed, but before the engines had time to move her astern she was well on the rooks and beginning to fill. She struck at twenty minutes after three o'clock. Could see tho Sugar Loaves plainly through my glasses. There were rocks all round the steamer, and land was discern - able. The reef she struck on is called Popperill's roef, and is about four miles from New Plymouth. She was about a quarter of a mile from shore when she struck. The compasses are very sluggish, and her course might have been changed half a point about five minutes before it was shown. I blame the officer in charge for the catastrophe. It would not have happened had I been called at three o'clock. Tho Court is still sitting.