The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 187, 10 August 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1870.

The terrible accident which we yesterdayreported as having happened to the steamer Tauranga has furnished a lesson which, it is to be hoped, will not be without its effects upon those with -whom lies the power of framing and enforcing rules and regulations to be observed by the large fleet of coasting vessels that frequents our waters. From the evidence given at the official enquiry we learn to our surprise that vessels such as the Enterprise, a ketch of 26 tons, never carry lights, and that they are occasionally commanded by men who " have never heard of the regulations for preventing collisions at sea." A few extracts from the evidence given by the master will show the complete absence of any precautions whatever to prevent such a lamentable occurence as that which occurred on the night of Saturday, the 23rd of July. "It was blowing a fresh breeze," he says, " I was carrying mainsail and jib and going free at about six knots. We were getting into a lump of a sea. We had no lights excepting the cabin-light, which lights the binnacle. I gave Clifton the wheel about 12, and told him to steer S.E. by S.; he was steering that course. I went below and measured my distance, and filled my pipe, and went on deck ; remained about five minutes, when Clifton reported a bright light. This was about twenty minutes past twelve. Hatfield and McDermott were below at the time. I ran to see what light it was. It was a | white light. I saw no other. When I saw the light I rau along and I said to Hatfield " There is a light ahead of us," and with that I ran below to make a torch or flare-up. Clifton then reported a red and green light. I ran on deck and ordered Clifton to keep her away, and said, " Hard up, hard-a-port ! " I had not time to see whether he had obeyed the order. I ran forward, and before I had got so far as the forecastle she had struck the steamer." Then again in reply to quesions put to him at various times he says : — "We had uo lantern on board at all. I brought up the flare-up, but had not time to light it. I have been twelve years at sen, and eight or nine years in command of coastiug vessels. Vessels of the same size as the Enterprise have never carried lights on this coast within my experience as a master. Before leaving the Thames I called the owner's attention to the vessel not having lights and said it was daugerous without them. We went to the ironmonger's to get some but they had none. I have never heard of the regulations for preventing collisions at sea. I know that some vessels of 30 tons carry lights. lam aware that there are regulations about lights. It was because I knew of such regulations that I advised the owner to have lights. I know of no vessel out of this port of the tonnage of the Enterprise that carries side-lights." Facts such as these require no comment. Owing to the absence of a couple of lights which might have been procured at the cost of a few shillings, one of the most terrible shipping disasters ever known on our coasts has occurred, property to the value of some thousands of pounds has been lost, and eighteen souls hurried into eternity without a moment's warning. Can anything more be wanting to convince the powers that be of the imperative necessity that exists for some reform in our shippiug regulations ?