GISBORNE COLLISION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1917, Page 3

GISBORNE COLLISION

Nautical Court’s Findina Both Masters Blameworthy A UCKLAKD, April 12 The decision of the Nautical Court in ieg aid to the collision bsswcsn th 9 Union Oornpany’s Arahura and a Home liner in Giabara9 roadstead on the night of March li! wau dc.i7s.2d to-day. It was found by the Court that the Arahura weighed anchor about 11 p.m , aod although the manor, Captain Diyden, then saw the Homi liner’s green light, and her masthead light, he wrongly assumed thut she was not aider why, and he decided ‘O pass round Ul9 liner’s bow shortly after leaving th 9 aoeboruge. Captain Dryden saw the liner was under way and moving in a direction across the Arahura’s bow. The vessels were then “crossing" vessels, and it was the duty of the liner to keep out of the way of the Arahura. When Captain Dryden saw that a collision was inevitable if he kept his course and speed, he 6hould immediately have stopped the vessel and reversed engines to give the liner time to gat out of the way. Instead Captain Dryden put the helm hard a-port and stopped both engines. Just before the impact he put the helm hard a-starboard and the eDginea full sprei --head. He was rot justified in altering ‘.he vessel s course to starboard. The liner got under way about the game time as the Arahura, with eng’n e? going “low ahead and the helm hard a-et«rboard. Cap»aio Goddard shortly ateer sdgh’ei the Arahura Reproaching on ihe st.rboard quarter. He stopped bin engines and gave the order “ fuil astern." The liner bad gathered sums headway and w-.a still going ah*ad a little when the impact occurred. The order “fall astern” should not have been given, but the error din not contribute to the collision. Had there been a look-out ou the liner, the nrahura would have been sten eome/ytime before Captain Goddard, who did not know of th 6 vessel’s close approach gave the order “ slow ahead." Had he known of the approach of the Arahu r a it would have been his obvious duty to have remained stationary or ordered the engines astern. The liner would not have been justified in attempting to cross the Arahura <3 bow aa she was the “ giving way ' ship. The court found that the collision was due to the combined neglect of the masters of the vessels, but decided not to deal with their certificates. The costs of the inquiry were ordered to be paid by Captains Goddard and Dryden in equal shares. The Arahura was docked to-day aud is expected to resume running at the end of next week.