ENQUIRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 187, 5 August 1873, Page 2

ENQUIRY.

A Court of Enquiry into the circumstances attending the wreck of the s.s. Raagitoto, was opened to-day, Friday, before "J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M., Commander Edwin, R.N., and Captain Johnston, Nautical Assessors. Mr Hack worth, Collector of Customs, watched the case on behalf of the Crown, and Mr Travers on behalf of Captain Mackie. Captain Mackie, being sworn, stated tbat he was in command of the vessel, and left Nelson at 12.50 a.m. on the 30th ; the weather was fine; they went through the Frenoh Pass at 4.10 p.m., after which, thinking all danger past, he went into his cabiu, leaving the chief officer in charge, leaving instructions that if necessary, he should ba called when abreast of Jacksou's Head; the chief officer held a master's certificate from the Melbourne Board of Trade, and having a good deal of experience, having been in tbe Rangitoto since witness took command; they had since made fifty-three voyages between Australia and New Zealand; witness was in the cabin dozing when the mate called him for God's sake to come a3 the Bhip had struck, and was sinking; he afc once rushed to the bridge, and seeing lhe state of affairs ordered the vessel to be run ashore in order ilo save life; they always passed close to Jackson's head whether by day or night, and at full speed unless unusually dark; tbe engines were stopped when she struck; he ran her ashore at the nearest available place; it was then about 25 minutes past 6 o'clock; Captain Mackie then described the subsequent proceedings much to the same effect as we have already recorded them; the Rnngitoto was drawing 13 feet of wateraft and 7 forward; she had watertight compartments, which proved very useful; there wa3 a door in the fore engine bulkhead, and ifc was open when the vessel struck, as it was being used to shift some coals; the vessel struck on the starboard bow about half-way between keel and water-line at the turn of the bilge. By Mr Travers — Had been up for the greater part of the two previous nights, and was a little fatigued; had full confidence in tbe chief officer, who knew the pluco os well as witness; it was an overcast, but not foggy night. Robert, Armstrong said he was chief officer of the Rangifoto, and held a Melbourne master's certificate; had been in M'Mockan aod Blackwood's employ 4£ years; for nearly 7 years had been in the habit of passing the scene of the wreck about once a month; was in charge when the wreck occurred; about 3 miles from Jackson's Head, at 6 o'clock, he took charge of tbe deck from Mr Donaldson, the second officer; the weather was fine, with a slight breeze over the land; ifc was dark, but the high land showed out clear; Cape Jackson was in sight; he got no orders or course given him, but was steering by the land; ship was going full speed; he was on the bridge, he could see the outer rock of the reef but not the inward one ; they were going between the reef and tho head; the lookout forward reported breakers a-head; witness stopped the engines, and put the helm hard a-starboard, he then could see the rocks himself ; she struck heavily immediately afterwards about the starboard fore rigging ; bumped heavily three or four times, and then went off; he called out to clear away the boats, and told the carpenter to sound the fore-hold. She was reported dry then, but about 7 minutes afterwards 3ft. 6in. of water was reported ; the Raugitolo was rather slow on her helm ; the vessel was rather closer in to the head than he thought ; it was hazy, and he could not see distinctly ; there was a strong tide ripple against them and the tide was at flood ; about two minutes before she struck he had gone aft and told the man at the helm to put her out a bit ; this was done : immediately the ship struck he called the captain, who at once took charge ; the crew and officers did all they could afterwards ; the boats were sufficient, and in good order; ho had frequently taken the Raugitoto past that head by daylight and by night; they usually passed it at a distance of from 150 to 200 feet. William Donaldson, second officer, said he held a Victorian first officer's certificate; he took charge from Mr Armstrong, with whom he was keeping watch and

For remainder of news see fourth page.

watch, and who relieved him at 6 o'clock; Captain Mackie was on deck when he took charge at 4 o'clock ; when relieved by Armstrong he reported Mana Light and Cape Jackson; no orders were passed, as they were steering by the land; there was a nasty haze over tho head, and it made Mana Light appear liko two lights; after giving up charge of the deck be went below, and had just got on deck again when she struck; she was then about 100 feet off the main rocks at the point. R. Bock, chief engineer, said that everything in his department was in good order. Richard Blackwood, said he was brother and agent for his brother, who was a member of the firm of M'Meckan, Blackwood, to whom the Rangitoto belonged; the vessel was insured in the Southern Company for £10,000, the owners beiDg obliged to underwrite the remainder of her value themselves; was a passenger on board the Rangitoto; had knovvu the captain and officers for some time, and believed them as good a set of officers as were ever ou board a ship; they were all sober during the afternoon; was very well satisfied with their exertions after the accident ; tho ship was worth about £25,000 Thomas Irvine, who was at the wheel when the vessel struck, was examined, buf. nothiug of any importance was elicited. Joseph Nancarrow, Inspector of .Marine Engines, said he was a passenger; the captain and officers were all perfectly sober. The Court, after considerable consideration, gave its decision to the effect that, in its opinion the master should have taken the vessel past Jackson's Head and all outlying danger; but as he bad an officer who held a certificate of competency as master, and he had on previous occasions taken tbe vessel through the passage, the Court while taking this into consideration, held that lhe master should be censured. The immediate cause of the wreck appeared to have been an error of judgment on the part of the chief officer with regard to the distance between Jackson's Head and tbe reef; but as he had frequently taken the same passage, the Court was of opinion that on that occasion he did not exercise such vigilance as was necessary in intricate navigation. In his case, also, the Court judged that he should be censured and admonished for the future. The Court was further of opinion that had the sliding door of the water department been shut at the time of the casualty, tbe vessel might possibly have floated some considerable time longer.