THE WAIKARE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 709, 15 January 1910, Page 3

THE WAIKARE

NAUTICAL ENQUIRY INTO THE WRECK. Dunedin, January 13. At the nautical enquiry into the wreck of the Waikare in Dusky Sound, which was held to-day, Captain Strang said the Waikare was insured in an outside office for ,£15,000. Captain Newton had been in the Company's service since 1886, and the company bad every confidence in him.

• Captain Newton said he had been master of steamers for about nineteen years. The last trip was his eighth to the Sounds. He had gone six times as chief officer, the last as such about eighteen years ago. When the ship struck Stop Island it was the only place he could reach with the time at his disposal. The morning after the wreck a search was made for the rock on which the vessel struck. After about halt an hour’s search the boatswain, on hauling in the line from the cast, found the lead drag on a rock. The lead suddenly slipped off the rock, and further efforts to locate the rock were unsuccessful. On the way to Pigeon Island to .laud the people he found two rocks not marked on the chart- So far as he knew he was on the same course as that followed by Captain McDonald the week previously. To make a close survey of the Sound would probably take twenty years. He would take a steamer into the passage again and have no fear. The place he wanted to beach at was Duck Cove, five miles away, and there was another equally good place four and a-half miles away, but the engineer said he had no more steam than would carry the ship a mile. Stop Island was the only spot near by where there were soundings. If the Waikare could have gone full speed for ten minutes lie would have saved her.

Mr Holdsworth, general manager for the Union Company, said the vessel was a total wreck, and had been abandoned. She would probably be sold by auction. Captain McDonald, who had been to the Sound several times as master, said he never looked upon the Sound as more dangerous than the ordinary coastline of New Zealand. A good deal had been done in surveying Dusky Sound, Wet Jacket Arm, Doubtful Sound, and Thompson Sound. If the Admiralty would lay down on them an approved track or course, the cost of such a survey would not be much, and it would enable the people to make the trip to this beautiful scenery free of doubt or fear. Witness added that he did not consider the New Zealand coast line perfectly surveyed, or anything near it. Witness gave a statement of the insurances on the vessel in outside offices —the largest being ,£6270 in Lloyd’s. Evidence was also given by Mr A, Todd and Dr. Roberts (passengers), Doorley (chief officer), Angus McLean (steersman), P. Hickey (chief engineer), J. McArthur (second engineer), and A. Inverarity (fourth engineer.) THE FINDING OF THE COURT. The Court of Inquiry concerning the wreck of the Waikare gave judgment as follows: —The Court, having carefully inquired into the circumstances attending the casualty, in answer to the questions submitted, find for reasons stated: (1) That the vessel struck on an uuchartered rock in Dusky Sound, between Indian Island and Passage Isles, at about 12.20 p.m., on January 4th, 19 10, this striking resulting subsequently in total wreck. (2) That the master (Captain Newton) exercised every care in navigating the vessel in Dusky Sound. (3) That the vessel was fully equipped, and found in every respect in case of disaster. , (4) That every means was adopted for saving the lives of the passengers and crew, and also for saving the ship after the disaster, and also for ensuring the comfort of the passengers until rescued. (5) That the rock upon which the vessel struck is not marked on the chart. The evidence shows that the Waikare struck an unchartered rock in the Sound. The ship was navigated in a careful and seamanlike manner, and there is nothing in the chart showing any dangers existing in the course taken by the ship. All witnesses agree as to the ship's position at the time of striking, and the only soundings marked on the chart in the vicinity show no bottom at 136 fathoms. The Court is of opiuiou that no blame whatever is attributable to the master, and they desire to place on record their sense of the splendid achievement of the captain, and the discipline and promptitude of the officers and crew in lowering the boats, placing the passengers in safety, attending to their comforts, and afterwards in doing their utmost to save the vessel, and also of the prompt manner with which the Union Steam Ship Company dispatched a relief steamer to the scene.

The master’s certificate has been returned to him.