COOK STRAITS INCIDENT.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 1 March 1928, Page 6

COOK STRAITS INCIDENT.

TAIvIAHINF. AND MAUNGANUI. VlriSSlvLS XKV.KR NEARER TUAN 300 UUET WELLINGTON, Last Night. Tlu* nautical inquiry into the navigation incident in the Cook Strait on 3rd February was opened before Mr Liddell, S.M., this morning. The vessels concerned were the Sydney-bound Maunganui (Captain A. 11. Davies) and the Pie to n ferry steamer Tamahine (Captain ,T. E. M'Clellan) and both otlicers were disrated by the Union Co. Mr J. Prendiville .for the Marine Department, said that on receipt of reports that there had been a close shave th vessels it had asked for re ports from the captains and the mmpany before opening the inquiry The inquiry was not held because of the publication in a local paper. Mr C. A. L. Treadwell, Ur Capf siiii 1 i< .s, said that owing to the ami nit of unfair comment .oat hod "been made ho asked for leave to address the Court after evidence was taken and this was granted. Giving evidence, Captain Davies said that th.- tub speed of the Mannganei was IS; to It* knots. Th 3 v-eel left, its berthage at 3.3 p.m. He saw the Tamahine behind them at the entrance to the harbour. At Barrett’s reef near the entrance the Tamahine was three lengths behind. The Maunganm was then going full speed and the Tamahine was overtaking the ship. The Maunganni did not give the signal that she was about to change her course. It whs not necessary as the Tamahine was well clear am] in no way in danger. It was not the custom of (he leading vessel to give an indication of the change* of course. The vessels closed in .but in his opinion there was no danger at any time, and he did not deem it necessary to give the signal. Captain Davies said further that in his opinion the Tamahine was never closer than 250 ft to 300 ft away. Ho had not deviated from his usual course on the Sydney run. There was certainly a natural desire which occurs whenever two vessels are together to compete, but on this occasion he had one boiler out of four oat of action. His only order to the engine room had been full speed ahead after leaving the wharf. This was not altered until Sydney was reached. When the Tamahine sounded three blasts she swung behind the Maunganui and went on the course for Tory channel. There was never any danger. He had been in command of the vessel for over 17 years. The vessels were going about the same speed and the Tamahine never at any time overhauled witness’ boat. Ho was perfectly satisfied that any manoeuvre he performed would not and did not embarrass the Tamahine’s master. To Mr Kirckaldie, counsel for Captain M‘Delian, Captain Davies said that the Pieton course was inside his and Captain M'Clelland had not deviated from his usual course. Captain M‘Clellan had in going astern adopted the usual procedure in order to get on to his course. The matter was mentioned casually by three or four passengers who seemed to think a race was on. but there was no such thing as a race and there was no excitement aboard his vessel. None of the passengers had thought fit to mention the matter to the reporters rt ho had come aboard at Sydney. The Tamahine’s Captain. Captain M‘ Chilian said that he left the wharf at 3.10 and gave the order full speed at 3,12. The Maunganui was then three cables ahead of him. His average speed that day was 17.3 knots. He thought the Maunganui might give warning on changing her course, but he watched the fror* of the ship closely. JVhen he saw the M°unganui swinging in he gave the orders “hard aport” and then “full astern.” There was always plenty of room when “full astern” Was ordered. It was to get on to his course as quickly as possible in order not to run any risks. Throe blasts were given by the chief officer. This was the procedure always adopted in a vessel when going astern . He had hold a master’s certificate for 10 years, and had been on the trip eight months. A comparison of the logs showed no difference in this trip than any other trip. Ho understood the Union Company in order that similar circumstances would not again occur had altered the timetable. His ship was always under perfect control and was never in danger at any time. Captain M'Clellan said he thought at any time the engines were put astern the passengers were always alarmed, even when coming alongside the wharf. When a vessel is sent astern it vibrates and some of the passengers may have become agitated because the Maunganui was a bigger vessel. She was never nearer than the Tamahine’s length—which was 275 ft—from the Maunganui. He had known of similar irtHtanc.es with cargo vessels, but in this case, some fuss had been made by people with no technical knowledge. ’Mr Riddell;- If you continued a parallel course .at slow speed would not the Maunganui have drawn ahead? Wit ness:-Yes. but that would have .taken me off my course. 'Mr-Riddell*) Not far, :: Only., a-, few .minutes, , ■ :! ... ’* . Witness: ' X 'had a- double trip that dav and minutes.-coiin-ted,., ’ , . v - Mr Riddell: You; were getting boxed in. Witness: No. I bad a mile inside to Karori rock.

Mr Riddell; Did going astern bring you nearer the Maunganui? Witness: No, Francis John Gallon, chief officer of the Tamahine, corroborated the evidemv of Captain M‘ Chilian. Whoa going astern lie suggested to Captain M'Clellan that he give three blasts. He understood the Captain to reply “yes.” No attempt was made at racing that he knew of and there wasnever any danger.. When she commenced to go astern the Tamahine was about 1000 ft away. Donald M'Bean, second engineer of" the Tamahine, said except for special 01 de;s, the usual speed was maintained through the trip. The went astern .foijda. quarter of a minute, having theeffect of a momentary pause. Norman Joseph Bilpen, chief officer of the Maunganui, stated that after turning slightly to port he remarked to Captain Davies that the Tamahinoappeared to be closing on them, but never at a-ny time was there any danfer of a collision. The Tamahine washer own length away when she passed’ under the stern of the Maunganui. She was never closer. Sydney Charles Argus, second officer of the Maunganui, thought at the time of the incident the Tamahine crossed their log line, which is 60' fathoms. He did not think she’ was close enough to give the Tamahine warning as the latter vessel knew they would go round about that spot. TheTamahine was never closer than her own length. Sydney Charles Angus, second officer of the Maunganui. detailed themovements of the two vessels. Then 1 was no suggestion of racing. The, Maunganui’s speed was normal. Robert Graham, second engineer of the Maunganui. said the log showed’ that for four voyages to Sydney there had been practically no difference, in, the revolutions of *tli o engines. I’asaengers’ Evidence. Arthur Leigh Hunt, company director and passenger to Sydney on the Maunganui, said ho saw no danger at any time The Tamahine went: astern of the Maunganui about 11A lengths away and he heard no comment at all. There was nothing to be alarmed about. There was not the slightest chance of the ships oollidingThc Maunganui when the Tamahineturned across to go astern of her wastravelling too quickly for the Tamahine to got near enough for a collision. David Milligan, merchant tailor, a. passengor on the Tamahine, said hla attention was forcibly drawn to the ship’s position when the Maunganui shot round and across the bows of theTamahine. The big ship kept right on and it appeared to him that tht* Tamahine escaped collision by not more than the width of the courtroom. There was excitement ami considerable alarm among the passengers, many of whom signed a. document protesting against th traction of the big ship. Witness admitted that nautical men knew more of the distance and circumstancesthan laymen. The Tamahine sounded three blasts when about 40 feet from the other ship. If the Tamahine _ had not slackened speed there would have been a collision. There seemed, to him to be great consternation on , board the Maunganui. • It was the Maunganui not the Tamahine; whichswung round at right angles. Cyril Batchelor, with a plain view from the shore, said the Maunganui was ahead all the time.. The Tamahine passed astern and never appeared’in any danger of a collision./ The _