WRECK OF TONGARIRO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17279, 21 September 1916, Page 7

WRECK OF TONGARIRO.

THE NAUTICAL INQUIRY. EVIDENCE CONCLUDED. [Per Prbss Association.] WELLINGTON, September 20. The inquiry regarding the wreck of the Tongariro was continued to-day. Captain Thomas Harry Chudloy, Marine Superintendent in Now Zealand, of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, gavo evidence a,s to the course set by him from Ariel Rocks, on October 7. 1914, on his third to last voyage, in tho Pakeha. After leaving East Capthis course was south 12 east from Gablo End Foreland. He would then too two and a halt miles off East Capo, and from there onward his course would be southward 22 west from Gable End Foreland. That would take him four and a half miles off Portland Island and about one and a half to two miles off bull Rock. Ho was of opinion that iffio course set by Captain Makepeace was a safo course in fine weather.

Mr Gray: In your experience, does a captain take beanngc. with the senior officer on duty? Captain Chudloy: It all depends on the circumstances.

Well, ii you have confidence in your officer ?—I would have to know him very well and have proved him well. If you had experience of an officer on the voyage irom England, via Panama Canal, and noticed that the officer was always attending to his duty, and in the course of the day you noticed him taking bearings, do you consider you would have proved him? Not sufficiently for my idea of things. George B. Bullock, manager in W ellington of the New Zealand Shipping Company, said that Captain .Makepeace had been in the employ of liis company as master and officer from twelve to fifteen years. He had the reputation of being a good, careful officer. To Mr Buddie: Seeing tho position Mr Ballard (first officer) was in, witness would say that ho had a good repu.afcion. To Mr Meredith: Tho Tongariro was worth £250,000. The vessel could net bo replaced for that money or anything like it. v Captain R. Lewis, master of tlio l’akeha gave evidence to the effect that tho course set by Captain Makepeace from Ariel Rocks was a safe one m fine weather. - , f „_. John H. Porter, fisherman, from Tokomaru Bay, said that he and liu brother, in their oil launch, wero fashing in tho bay on the morning or August 30. They went seven miles south-east of Koutunui Point, and found that they could not get an anchor to hold at the usual depth. There was only a light breeze from the north and no sea, only a swell, lhoj found when fishing that they could not get bottom, even with 160 fathoms of lino and Gib sinkers. Hie usual depth of water was 27 fathoms. Tho lines wore practically going straight ou from the boat, and fishing was impossible The current was from northeast to south-west, setting towards she shore. The Wcstraha arrived at Tokomaru Bay that day from Auckland, ahead of her usual time. . . To Mr Buddio: Ho was of opinion that the set on that day would continue down the coast for a considerable distance. , Richard Houghton Porter corroborated the evidence of his brother, tho previous witness. Ho said that ho rad never experienced such a “sot bef°p’ J Ballard, chief officer, said he could not. estimate how much tho vessel was inside her course, bub though her position was all right. He d'd rot ascertain what time ho should pick up the veil sector. , Captain Makepeace, recalled, said In. thought tho Tongariro passed Table Cano about, a quarter past six. Yutness did not look at tho chart then to see how the course was running in accordance with Table Cape. Ho did not ask tho chief officer how far off ho passed Table Cape. Hi-s estimate was that he would pass tho red sector at a quarter to seven. When witness came up it was not in sight and bo considered that the vessel had not been doing ten knots in tho morning. On the rim across the Bay of Plenty the chief officer found that the vessel was insicl« her course, and put her out. Ho re ported the matte” to witness. . 1 To Mr Gray: "Witness was making a course to sight land m that locality There was nothing unusual m sighting land ahead, and nothing at all to be apprehensive about. He thought it very Hk«lv that, the “set at Tokomrivu Bav would extend to Bull Rock. Captain Johnson: Did vou consider it was a grave mistake no beatings were taken passing Table Cape. Ciiutam Makepeace: Yes The Court announced that it hoped to give its decision to-morrow.