MAGISTERIAL ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1931, Page 5

MAGISTERIAL ENQUIRY

LOSS OF PROGRESS.

(By Teleyruph—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 18

A Magisterial inquiry in regard to the wreck of the steamer Progress opened today, before Mr Page S.M., with Captain W’orrall and Carter assessors. and F. V'. Granger, engineering assessor. seven counsel were briefed on oeV.ili of various interests ami 19 witnesses will be called. Copland, master of the lost vessel gave evidence that the steamer lost Her propeller at seven o’clock on April 30 six and a-hnlf miles south-west of Pern-arrow Light,. Witness order<f! 'ilie sails to he set hut they did not give steerage way. He commenced to signal Beacon Hill by morse, and got a reply. Me signalled the cause of the mishap and asked for a tug, but got no reply to this. He messaged a passing vessel to report to the Heads that lie had lost his propeller and wanted a tug immediately. That was about 7.30. The vessel lvuku coming out of Wellington came alongside and asked if they wanted any assistance. He replied, “No, 1 have sent for a tug.” As soon as the vessel he had signal-

led passed through tin* Heads, Beacon. Hill called asking, “what ship!'” and then “what is wrong?” Witness replied“ Ring Captain Holm. I have lost my propeller ancl want a tug immediately.” Witness went on to speak of the A rah lira approaching and being told site was not required to standby as long as the tug was coming. That was about !. <j p.m.. There had been a slight increase in the wind and there was a la«y oily swell. The Progress had two receiving sets, but no sending set. The ship had drifted a mile and n-half to two miles. This drift caused witness to drop his anchor. The wind was increasing fyom the south but it was nothing to worry about. At ID.IO p.m. Rent-arrow replied that a tug was leaving. At 11, as there was no sign of the tug witness again called Beacon Hill and was told a tug was on the way and would arrive by mid-night. He had originate estimated that the tug should reach them by ten. The weather between 11 and mid-night was making all the time. It was after 12.36 when the Toia arrived, Tlie wind was then much stronger and there was a heavy sea. 'flic tug did not come close enough to throw a hoavv line.

Witness went on to detail operations until a line was drifted from tile Progress and picked up by the tug, Those oil the Progress saw a line hud been bent on to something: nn<( they 00:10 meneeu to run the line in on a winch. There was a heaving line at the end of witness’ line, and at the end or that, another line, about two and a half or three inch mani Ila rope. This was put on to the winch and witness watched carefully that no undue strain was put on. Me expected a wire tow rope or something more than manffla 1 ope. The tug morsed: “Have you got the wire attached?” Witness answered, “No and as ne started to go forward he met tfle mate who said the rope had parted.

\\ itnuss went back on the bridge and signalled the tug what had happened.