Nautical Enquiry.

Manawatu Herald, 15 December 1892, Page 2

Nautical Enquiry.

» A nautical enquiry into the circumstances connected with the striking of tha screw steamer Queen of South on a rock between Kapiti Island and the ma : nland on 9th November, was opened in the Supreme Court Buildings on Tues day morning, Mr C. 0. Graham, R.M., presiding, with Captains Hatnon and Leys as Assessors Mr Gully appeared for the Collector of Customs. Captain Harvey, master of the vessel, was not represented by counsel. Evidence was given by Edward Harvey, master of the vessel, William Manley, ohief officer, and idney Leonard, A.B , and went to show that the vessel crossed the Foxton bar at midnight on the Bth ult. The captain turned in, and gave the course to the chief officer, south | west, which would have taken the vessel inside the rock on which she struck. He assumed the mate would take the vessel through the larger of the two passages separating Kapiti Island from the mainland. The mate, however took the vessel through the smaller channel, and she struck on Passage Rock. He explained to the Court that he did not apprehend any danger, because he had passed through the same channel on two previous occasions, when Captain Harvey was laid up. He was deceived on this occasion as to the distance he was from the island by the loom over the land. When the vessel struck Captain Harvey came on deck and sounded the well, but

found it dry, so he proceeded on the voyage to Wellington. At 6.30 the same evening it was ascertained that there were eight inches of Water iri the well: The damage consisted of a crack in the vessel's bottom, tile length of two frames of the ship. The Court was of opinion that no blame attached to Captain Harvey, but considered that the mate committee! an error of jwiguient in Attempting to take the narrow passage without calling up tlie captain, in the. absence of any instruction from him to take such passage, further, that it was not advisable to take the inner passage between Kapitl and the mainland in fine weather, an there is nothing to be gained by such a course, and there is always the risk of striking one of the many l'ocks there, which risk may as well be avoided. The Court did not see any necessity for dealing with tha mate's certificate, but ordered him to pay the costs of the enquiry, amounting to £7 7s. — Post.