Wiltshire Enquiry.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1922, Page 3

Wiltshire Enquiry.

fllY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] CART. HAYWARD’S EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND, June 21. When tlie Wiltshire inquiry was resumed, Air Mays put in a statement by the lighthouse keeper which said the weather between 8 p.m. and midnight on AI ay 31st was -overcast, with heavy rain. The visibilty of the light would ho about fifteen miles.

Bei Inin George Hayward, master of the Wiltshire, gave evidence as to the usual practice, when taking sight on the vessel. So far as lie knew. the sights taken on May 31st. did not betray any set to the westward or to the north": rd. The ship was then in the position he expected her to he on May 31. After a conference with the second and third officers, the course was altered to the south 51 west compass, or south 771 west true. Personally lie had never made this - particular landfall before, but bis second and third officers had been Hirough that channel freq tie lit! v before. Mo always eonfeired with his officers on t-lie course.

Onpt. Hayward gave evidence that they knew they would not reach Cuvier Island till after sunset. So far ns he could recall, no other course was suggested. Nothing occurred before sunset to make him anxious about making his landfall. The average speed of the ship out run wa s 12 knots. He expected to see Cuvier light at 10 p.m. it the weather and circumstances were good. His patent log was read and reported to the bridge on May 31st. every four hours, lie believed though he was not there himself to see. At 8 p.m. tie ascertained what the log readings were. He looked for it in the scrap log book that was lost. He there saw 104 miles that was in excess of the actual distance travelled, owing to the log being live per cent fast. He knew the error of the tog, and 101 was the distance !>" expected th,* patent log to show. As near as he could recollect he went on to the bridge at 0.30 p.m. and staved there till 8 p.m. He went below fill 8.30 p.m. when lie returned to the bridge. About 10 p.m. tile weather conditions were rain, moderate, north east wind and smooth sea. There was heavy lain at times. A shower would last about twenty minutes. He did not think the range of visibility of Cuvier light at that time fcotild he more than 12 miles. He discussed the question then with the third officer and told him to get everything ready to east the lead at 10.30 p.m. Before that the ship had sent a wireless message to Auckland that he would lie in at daylight next J morning. Ile had steered tile course, he bitemled to take him within about five mih's of Cuvier. On his i mining lie expected Cuvier Island to he abeam after midnight. He discussed the po- j sition with his officers an.| decided ii ; they did not see the light at .11.30 p.m. j I lull- tliev should turn round. I

Tile enquire was .adjourned till the a flei noon.

Retrain George Haywood, Master of llm Wiltshire, said lie had an ordinary master’s certificate. It was blowing a V.asterlv pale wlmii they passed Kami Island oil May 23rd.

In reply to till- question : “'Mint iva tlu* v,-outlier like for 31 lioitvs iniim ftintolv proeediiig mid-day on May 31st?”' Witness answered: “I can't, recollect iii wliat direction was tlio wind. I think it was easterly, lint I can’t recollect the force ol it.’ Coot iniiiint. witness said lie had trot a sight within *2l hours before the mornjnjr of May 31st. lie had no difficulty previously in tret tine the sights, which lie himself took. The observations which he got on the previous day d'd not reveal any set to the westward. “Did they reveal anv set to northward ?” ‘•f don’t think so: I ean't reniemher.” was the reply. Coniinning tin* witness said he got sights for longitude at 3 a.to. on May 30ih.. and for lalitude at mid-day. lh had no diflicnlfv i" getting tlm sights Tin- scrond and third olfieers also tool sinllts

(.lu'.stioii : When the others take sights do they band you their figures to bo ,-heeked?

j "Wo compare results.” [ (): When the results differ 1 suppose 1 vours preViiil. ■' Witness: No: we look them over iieain to find out the error, i (,) : nil! tlie si gilts taken on May illst betray any sei to tlie westward or to i.lii' nortliwai(l Witness: No: not so far ns I know. () : Did you then find the ship in the ! position you ex peeled her tn ho • Witness: Ves; the Wi'tshire was a pond stcrinp ship and lhe compasses were pool. I did not lake any deviation of course on the sieerinp coinpass. hut on the stand compass. The (,tiaricr-n. asters were all reliable men. Captain Hayward, continuinp. described the renditions after 10 p.m. A\ it ness said the wind increased, and Llie i showers pot heavier and lonper, un'.til about il p.m.. a bell it was blowing i piiite a fresh wind, which increased, if anything up to the time ot sti iking. Despite this, he felt perfectly eonh--1 dent. .. The Chief (Mirer's lop (prcduicd) eonlailied a correct record ol Cue 'csscl’s pcs ftion from day to dav. He ban never intended going south of Courier Island, and altered his course at middav mi May Hht to clear Courier live miles to the north. pealinp with the ipiestioii of the soutidinps. the witness said he took tic i rst cast at !().:«) p.m. pettmp the lint tom at IS fathoms. A second soundinp, aL II p.m. was donhtful, as the ~.,.,,’iing showed no trace of mud or shell, hut it was thoupht the depth wn« 4rt fathoms. He immediately ordered another oast. : ife received a messape. at, what lie ' thoupht would he about 11. In or 11-IS • p.m., that the water was shoaling ra- • piillv. Ho immediately pave the order ‘ “Hard A port,” and the vessel had •' turned about four or five points, when • she stranded. After they of, ashore. > (1,,, tided ed'o-er i old him the depth - recorded at the last east was AS fath- • oms. Witness saw he kept a Hose watch for the Currier light. re I ra’iiinp from poinp into the chavthonse, so the. his siplit would not he affected.

| POSTAL OFFICIAL'S i.AI’SK. TIM A PC. .June ?-■ .lanes O. B.vron, a- postal messenger engaged in Timiirn Post Office pleaded ■ Piillv to a. series of Hiarpes of failinp to deliver letters on Ids round. No attempt was made to interfere with the contents of the packets. I lie accused was committed to the Supreme Court, Tismiru, for .sentence.