TARANAKI INQUIRY.
(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Tadranga, Friday. Thomas Coans, the look-out man, stated that the weather was foggy, and he could not see more than three lengths ahead before she struck. He helped to stow a cargo of iron sash-weights, placed in th'e fore hold, in front of tho bridge compass. He called out “ breakers ahead.”—The evidence given by Mr. C. McLean, agent to the' Bank of Hew Zealand, was to the effect that ho did not think the vessel was going too fast for the state of tho weather.—Bergensen, the seamen who was at the wheel from 8 a.m., said he had been at sea since he was twelve years old. The second mate saw he steered the correct course.—Oliver Quintal, passenger, said he heard breakers from eight o’clock, but thought it was the mainland. The judgment of the Court said that tho loss of tho steamer appeared by the evidence to have been caused by the vessel running on Karewa Island, and being out if her course, and having run further than the officers supposed and that the loss and damage was total. The vessel was insured, but to what amount has not yet been asc;rtained, nor in what companies. Tho KeSiSent Magistrate was further of opinion that the vessel toeing out of her course was caused by
an error in the compass, probably also by the current setting into the bay. Also, that the ignorance of her officers as to the distance run was caused either by error in the clock, which was proved to be a common one, «r by the officers having incorrectly read snnh clock. He then proceeded : I am further of opinion that the master should have taken soundings and slowed bis engines as the weather [was so foggy. That if ho bad done so tho accident might have been avoided. In consideration of the master’s long coasting service, which is known to both the assessors, and of his conduct having been highly praiseworthy after the accident occurred, I do not suspend the master’s certificate. I am further of opinion that the chief officer’s log is not so well kept as it ought to have been. No blame is thrown on the second officer or engineer. The captain is ordered to pay costs. X am advised by my assessors, and agree with them, that iron steam vessels should be swung at least once a year in northern ports as well as in southern, on account of the difference of latitude, and that tho steamer should be provided with clocks of good quality—one for the captain's cabin and one for the engine-room,—and also with a. patent sounding apparatus.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5522, 7 December 1878, Page 2
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444TARANAKI INQUIRY. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5522, 7 December 1878, Page 2
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