THE GROUNDING OF THE S.S. TARANAKI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5010, 14 April 1877, Page 3

THE GROUNDING OF THE S.S. TARANAKI.

(From the Otayo Daily Times, April 11.)

Mr. Hackworth (Collector of Customs) and Captain Thomson (Harbor-master), held an official inquiry yesterday, as to the recent touching of the s.s. Taranaki on Shag Reef while on her way from Lyttelton to Port Chalmers. The following evidence was taken: — H. J. C. Andrew sworn, stated ; I am master of the s.s. Taranaki, and hold a certificate of competency, No. 22,359. The last port of departure was Lyttelton, which I left on Friday, 6th April, at noon, bound for Port Chalmers. The weather when I left Lyttelton was fine and clear, with a fair wind. The weather continued clear till two o’clock on Saturday morning. Wind then shifted to the S.E. I did not know exactly at that time what was the position of the vessel. After leaving Banks Peninsula I lost sight of the land. I did not sight land again till 5 a.m. I then believed myself by the log to be about five miles to the northward of Otago Heads. I eased her, and went round and round, the weather being very thick on the top of the land and comparatively clear below. I continued doing so until daybreak. Not seeing any land to the southward, but only to the westward, I supposed I had got to the southward, and outside the position I first supposed the vessel to be in when I stopped her, I then stood in to the land for some time to the northward and westward for four or five miles. I still saw no land to the southward. She was heading S.S.W. J W. when I first stopped the steamer. As daylight increased, all the hills being still covered with fog, I saw what I fell, positive was Cape Saunders. I then steered for it until about half-past 6 a.m. I saw a rock on the starboard beam about a length and a-half of the ship from us. I put the helm hard a-starboard—stopped and reversed the engines. Shortly afterwards, when the way was deadened and she began to make stemway, she struck right aft. She did not hang. I then went ahead. After goinga short distance, shifted her helm and went northward of the reef. At almost the same time that we struck, the fog began to lift, and I saw the land-marks. I then found that we were inside of Shag Reef. We then proceeded on our voyage to Port Chalmers. I ordered the sluices of the watertight compartments to be shut directly she struck; sounded the pumps three or four times, and found she made no water. We arrived at Port Chalmers about 9 a.m. We took our departure from Pompey’s Pillar, Banks Peninsula, about 3.30 p.m. on the 6th, We were steering S.S.W. \ W. true magnetic, and continued that course till 5 o’clock next morning, when I stopped the steamer. The current is very uncertain, and we only feel it sometimes. When we left Pompey’s Pillar the wind was N.W., and it afterwards changed to S.W. I generally find the log about 5 per cent, short. Wheu I stopped the steamer first, the log showed that we had run 145 miles from Pompey’s Pillar. Assuming that there was no error that would put us five or six miles north of the Heads. I did not heave the lead because I was so positive that I saw Cape Saunders. I steered for the point which I took to be Cape Saunders so as just to keep outside of it. I must have gone about four miles from the time I first steered for the land until we struck. I went half speed. We had been going round and round for about an hour before 0 ! saw the land, which I took to be between Cape Saunders and Taiaroa Head. I steered about four miles in a north-westerly direction. Then wheu I saw the point which I took to be Cape Saunders on the starboard bow I steered N. by E. for about five or six miles. I then saw the rock on the starboard beam.

Captain Thomson; Did you at any time find the log incorrect ? Witness ; On former voyages I found the log sometimes indicated 5 per cent, less than the actual distance run. The course I steered from Pompey’s Pillar was my usual one, and ought to have taken me somewhat outside. I always found it to be an offshore course. Seeing the land to the southward, I came to the conclusion that I had overrun my distance. Captain Thomson ; If you took a cast of the lead during the time you were going round in a circle, could you have determined the position ? Witness : If I had then cast the lead, I would still suppose I was abreast of the land between Taiaroa Head and Cape Saunders. When I was running up from what I supposed was Cape Saunders, a cast of the lead would have shown me ; but I felt so positive as to my position that I did not think it necessary. When going round in a circle, I did not see the light at Taiaroa Head, or even any land. I never overran my distance before to any extent. I was on deck from about half-past 4 a.m. on the 7th. The log was hauled in at 4 a.m., and it was reported to me. It was hauled in for good when I went on deck, and the distance was 143 or 145 miles. The distance from Pompey’s Pillar to Otago Heads is 152 miles. Captain Thomson : Were you more anxious than usual to get in on this occasion ? Witness : Yes. I was carrying the English mail, and I thought if I could save an hour or two it would be a great advantage ; otherwise, I would have gone round and round until the weather had cleared up, even if I lost five or six hours by doing so. Captain Thomson ; Did you ever have any casualty before ? Witness : No. I have been trading on this coast since 1841 ; and I have been trading here in steamers for the last twelve years. I have been a master here for about seven years. Captain Thomson : Is there anything you can suggest that would have assisted you on this occasion in determining your position ? Witness : Yes. A bright light on Taiaroa Head, or a light on Shag Point, or some other point near there. I think I would have seen a bright light at Taiaroa Head, or the glare caused by it, even through the mist that morning. You cannot see anything of the red light at present at Taiaroa Head when there is the slighest mist. In very clear weather you cannot see the Taiaroa light more than eight miles away. You can only see it a short time before the beach lights. Captain Thomson : Did the vessel herself strike ? Witness: No. It was only the propeller that struck. A small piece of the propeller was knocked off. Messrs. Pollock, chief engineer, J. J. Anderson, chief officer, and Hellesoe, A. 8., and G. Daniel, A. 8., were examined.