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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5579, 14 February 1879, Page 2

COLLISION BETWEEN THE HUIA AND GO-AHEAD. A nautlcalinquiry was held yesterday before T. A. Mansford, Esq., D.M., end Captains Eraser and Roberta, Nautical Assessors, relative to the collision between the steamers Go-Ahead and Hula, which took place on the ‘2nd insfc. Hr. Hell appeared on behalf of Captain Dicker, and Mr. Quick for Captain Holmes. Alt the witnesses were ordered out of Court. The following evidence was then taken:— Frederick Dicker on being sworn deposed as follows: 1 am a certificated master mariner, and in charge of the steamer Go-Ahead. There was a collision between the Go-Ahead and Hula on the 2nd instant. Tbo second officer was in charge of the vessel at the time. I was laying down in the cabin. The time would bo about 3.30 a.m. I

was called, and ran up on deck immediately. I heard tho second make sing out ‘‘port.” This was before l:he collision, I saw three lights nearly ahead of us, a little on the starboard bow. I could not see the masts. I did not know it was tho Huia. Tho course of my vessel was altered directly the mate said “ Port." X then went below and finished dressing myself, Tho speed of the vo-sel was also altered. 1 then ran up on deck again and saw a vessel’s green and mast-head lights coming apparently amidships of me. I instantly sung out, "Stop her; full speed astern," and blew tho whistle. The steamer then struck me on the port bow, about Bft. from tho stem. We swung clear of each other. 1 stopped tho engines and ran forward to see what damage was done, and to sec if she was making water. Found the damage, slight, and went on tho course for Wellington. I recognised tho other steamer as tho Huia. After X came aft

from looking forward tho Hula was oa her course I heard my mate call out to the Huia, I am.acquainted with the rules and regulations for the prevention of collisions at sea, and 1 saw nothing to make me dopart from those regulations. Tho damage done to the G'-Ahoad is about £2O or £25. Dy Mr. Bell: I was on my way from Wanganui to Wellington. The collision occurred about three miles N. -V* of Ohau Point. lam positive 1 never saw the red light, but only tho green and white. When I came up the second time we were about three lengths apart. My helm was port all the time. If I had starboarded I should have cut him down amidships, or he would have cut mo down. I considered I adopted tin* proper course under the circumstances. Mr. Bell asked whether Captain Dicker had h,ad difficulties with the Huia before. Mr. <£uick objected, and tho question was. 'overruled.

By Mr. Quick : I turned in at 10 that night, and again at 12. I gave the course first at south; it was subsequently altered to SAV. This would take mo well otf Tcrewhiti. and about four miles oft Ohau Point, The wind was light W.S.W., and that was the reason I altered her course. I had threo trysails set. The fore-staysail was not set. All the sails drew well, and the booms were well in: I was headipg south threequarter west magnetic.' Tho Huia was seen about three miles off. The Stormbird left the "Wanganui bar the same time that I did: §ho was ahead of me: I did not at the compass, when I came on deck. It only took two or three minutes for the vessels to meet from the time I first saw them. When I first came on deck the three, lights were nearly on end. Our look out * a generally kept on the bridge. There is no special wAtqb, The officer on deck keeps a look out. t do not-know that a special look-oat is generally kept on'small steamers.

By Captain Fraser: It was about five minutes between the order to port and the order to reverse the engines. The weather was fine. About two minutes ' after going astern the Huia ran into us. Thomas Holmes, deposed os follows :—I am certificated master mariner, at present in charge of the s.s. Hula. 1 first saw the Go-Ahead on the 2nd, at about 20 minutes past 3 a.m., about three miles distant. Tho Go-Ahead boro about N.£. by I was steering N. £ W. The Go-Ahead was on my starboard bow. 1 only saw her masthead light at first. I did not alter my course at this time. About five minutes afterwards 1 saw his masthead light. I saw liis side light. I still looked at the Go-Ahead, but did nothing. As she gradually drew near us I saw the Go-Ahead was on the port helm. I whistled, and sang oat “Hard a starboard” to my man &i the 'wheel, and put the telegraph “stop." The Hul*. answered her helm. My engines were stopped. Both vessel? Had weigh on. them at the time of the collision. The starboard side of the stem was first struck by the Go-Ahead. The stem is bent. Two of the plates were split. The damage done Is about £35 or £lO. At the tir.,‘ e 0 f the accident we were about seven miles from'Pnrpwhitf bearing N.W. Brothers light boro abr, ut $ j r,ight abeam. After the collision X stepped for'a few minutes. The Go-Ahead steamed a, way first I fol lowed tile usual regulations for 'the prevention »f collisions. I had to starboard r.-hea tha other boat was at port. By Sir. Quick: Tho night was pretty clear and starlight. There was light wind from tho westward. X had foresail and staysail set. The usual course with a westerly wind is N. J XV. For vessels going to XVanganui it would be S. i 15. I could not say what course tho On-Ahead was steering. The Stormbird had passed us some time before, about three miles insido of us. The Go-Ahead was Inside of ns. and bearing iS'. 15. by N. I was on tho bridge at the time I saw her. There was ft look-out man standing forward gloss to |

the steam winch. Seeing tho Go-Ahoad well to starboard I did not alter ray course I took a walk on the weather aide of my vessel for a short time, during which I did not see the Go-Ahead for our sails. On going on the lee side of the bridge again I saw the Go-Ahead steering straight for us. The Go-Ahead must have altered her course. Had the vessels been kept on the course they were going at first the Go-Ahead would have passed a mile and a half inside of us. At the time she struck I was heading N.W. by N., and the GoAhead W.N.W. She must have described almost a semi-circle. I saw Captain Dicker on the bridge at the time wo struck. It is a very ordinary thing coasting steamers to speak to one another. X thought at first that was what the Go-Ahead altered her course for. „ . ~ By Mr. Bell: A few minutes after I first saw the Go-Ahead she was heading straight for us. I saw his red light and mast-head light. Both vessels struck together, and then rebounded. The Go-Ahead struck our stem and starboard bow. I never heard the mate of tho Go-Ahead sing out. I heard the Go-Ahead’s whistle. I did not go astern, —Mr. Be 1 asked if the witness had had collisions before ?—Mr. Quick objected.—His Worship thought it would be better not to ask the question.—By Captain Roberts: It was slack tide at the time of the collision.—By Ilia "Worship: I have passed an examination for steam. The same question was then asked Captain Dicker, and he answered in the negative. William Houghton, second officer of tho s.s. GoAhead, deposed that he was in charge of the deck at the time of the colli ion between the steamers. I first saw the masthead light of the Hula. All our lights were burning brightly. When she approached us I cal'ed the captain. After that I saw the three lights of tho llnia. Tho captain was standing by me, and I said. "There are his lights ; we had better port the helm." I then found that the Huia's red light did not show. „,. _ By Mr. Quick: After looking at our own lights I called the captaK I never felt nervous. I always make it a rule to call the cap ain when in doubt. [The remainder of this witness's evidence was corroborative of that given by Captain Dicker.} At this stage tho further hearing of tho case was adjourned until next Tuesday.