THE STRANDING OF THE KENNEDY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 322, 4 December 1875, Page 2

THE STRANDING OF THE KENNEDY.

To the Editor of the ' Evening Mail. Sir— On returning from the Karamea per steamer Murray yesterday a friend handed me a copy of the Daily Times of the 20th ult'ino, giving an account of the efforts of those employed in the remoral of the Kennedy, the substance of which is thoroughly correct. But there is a clause in the preface to that report whi-h might convey an erroneous idea' to those not conversant with the subject at issue. The sentence referred to is as follows:—" After the vessel [struck on the South Spit the engiues were at once rut full speed as em, but of no avail, as the Kennedy was washed 1800 fett along the beach and stranded." Now, Sir, on the visael striking only one pair were turned astern, the other pair still going full apt ed ahead. Again the Kennedy was in (he break during a space of fifty minutes, and frequently afloat (which those below could easily feel) with both engines going full speed ahead, and not astern. However, the concocter of that sentence may only entertain a faint recollection of the events referred to, which may account for the spurious matter tapped from his imagination. The engines and those , in charge were perfectly innocent of the stranding of the unfortunate Kennedy at Karamea, which can be satisfactorily proved before any tribunal competent to ventilate the matter, and clear the hazy atmosphere which the public mind seems to inhale. Being a lover of facts which require not the influence ot varnish to maintain their integrity, I beg a corner in your next impression to contradict a statement which canmt be borne out by investigation.— l am, &c , C. Campbell, Engineer 5.9. Kennedy.