PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. TUI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5823, 27 November 1879, Page 2

PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. TUI.

The following evidence was elicited by the Collector of Customs at an inquiry which was concluded yesterday afternoon into the circumstances attending the late accident to the steamer Tui :

Thomas Holmes, being sworn, deposed that he was a master mariner, and held a certificate of competency. He left the Queen’s wharf at a quarter past 12 o’clock on Sunday morning, bound to Wanganui. All went well till getting to the outer reef,’ when the weather became very thick. Steered the usual course from abreast of Pencarrow Lighthouse to clear Sinclair Head. Told the man that was forward to loose the foresail, and sent the man from the wheel to give a hand in setting, himself taking the wheel. The men were a long time setting the sail, and when they came aft he told them to set the mainsail. The engines appeared to be going very slow. There was a heavy shower of rain without much wind, and he (the captain) lost sight of Pencarrow light for some time. While the men were setting the mainsail, he put the he'm to starboard, as the vessel appeared to be falling off. Before the main peak was up any distance, the vessel struck. Told the men to call the mate and crew and lower away the foresail He then ran forward to the engine-room and sang out “ stop her,” but there was no one in the room. By this time all the passengers were on deck, and the engineer came out of the cabin. He jumped on the bridge to see where the vessel was, but was unable, on account of the thick weather. Ordered the boats out. Captains Todd and Sellars were in the meantime burning blue lights and rockets. By this time the lifeboat had been launched, and he told the mate and purser to pull ashore and inform the pilot. Captains Sellars and Todd and the stewardess also went in the boat. Told the mate to land at the old pilot station. As the boat left got the other one out, and told the passengers there was no danger, and that they had better wait for daylight and they could then land with safety. Kept a large torch burning, so that the boat or any vessel could make out their position. The pilot boat came off at break of day, and lauded the remainder of the passengers and mails, and a portion of the cargo. The sea commenced to make about 8 a.m. Got up a full head of steam, the engineer asserting that she would float, as there was no water in the engine-room or cabin. On consultation with Pilot Holmes decided to make the attempt. Went full speed astern. The vessel slipped off the reef, but bumped heavily, as the sea was making. As the vessel would float for some time, it was determined to steam through Chafer Passage and round to the slip, in Evans Bay. She was hauled up about 11 o’clock at night, and next morning surveyed by Captain Bendall on behalf of the insurance companies, and Mr. Seagar on behalf of the owners. Some plates are cracked on starboard

aide about the forerigging ; there in no hole in her, and the bulkhead prevented any water the sea was quite srtiooi-h, with, a moderate southerly breeze; it was ebb tide, about first quarter; fancied vessel went astern a little after first striking, but being afraid of settling down, went ahead again ; vessel remained fixed after that. At daylight witness went on to a peak of rocks at forerigging; saw that the steamer's bow was between two rocks about two lengths of the vessel from the extreme of the Western Ledge, and that she was not much damaged. The vessel was heading well up to the S.S.W. by the standard compass ; told the man at the wheel to keep her “steady he had not been long steering this course when witness sent the man forward to set the foresail, and himself took the wheel. Kept her to the southward of W.S.W. by the after steering compass, when he lost sight of the light. Saw the outer rock of Barrett’s Reef ; from that to the Ledge is about a mile. Do not think the vessel was going half speed when she struck, and had no one to send to engine-room to ascertain the reason. Witness attributed the accident to the want cf sufficient speed and the length of time taken in setting the foresail. Owing to alleged repairs required in the boiler, the Government inspector had reduced the pressure of steam. There were only two of the crew on deck at time of striking, and cannot say if they were sober, but noticed some of them looking queer when leaving the wharf. Vessel was not stopped at the order * f Stop her;” it might have been half a minute after. While the foresail was being set he left the wheel for a few seconds to go on the bridge and ask the men why they were not getting the sail set. Charles Pope, the next witness, being sworn, deposed that he held a certificate of service as master, and was mate of the steamer Tui. He remainded on deck until off the Pilot Station, then went below, leaving the captain in charge, with two men. Noticed on leaving the wharf that one of the men, named McDonald, had been drinking. Had no conversation with the engineer. When witness went below the weather was inclined to be thick, with a drizzling rain ; the steamer was going full speed, and there appeared to be a full head of steam ; there was no sea. On the vessel striking, ran on deck immediately. Heard Captain Holmes order the foresail to be taken in ; could not see the engineer; the engines had been stopped. Vessel did not go astern after striking. Went in the first boat by captain's orders. Landed passengers and returned to the vessel. There were two men in the boat ; they were sober. The usual course after passing Barrett’s reef depends on the weather. Witness was cross-examined by Captain Holmes.

Thomas Wason, engineer, was then examined. He was not on deck when the vessel struck. Had left Westor, one of the firemen, in charge, and left instructions to be called when off Terawiti. Vessel had 551 b. to 601 b. steam on —her full pressure—when witness left engine-room. The moment she struck he went to J,he engine-room. Westor was attending to his duty. Did not observe what pressure was on. Heard the order to stop her. Was in the engine-room at the time, and he believed he stopped her. The order was then given to go astern, which was done. Left one of the firemen in charge, and went below to see if she was making any water. Went back to.the engine-room. The engines were stopped, and water making. Put the ejector on, and went in the fore-hold, but could not get the hatches off. Went down to the engine-room and knocked down one of the boards of the forward bulkhead ; found 8 to 10 inches of water in hold ; looked to door in collision bulkhead and found water coming through ; packed it with some loose stuff lying in the hold ; found the mails in the water and put them on top of the cargo. Pilot Holmes came off about 5 a.m. Kept steam up all the time. Captain Holmes was very cool and collected throughout. By Captain Holmes: Steamer was just outside the lighthouse when he (witness) turned in.

By Collector : Westor was sober when left in charge. Had not been asked for when she struck. Pressure had been reduced lOlbs. on the present trip, which would make a difference of 8 revolutions, or half a knot per hour. Henry Westor, fireman, Benin Kedman, and Alexander McDonald, able seamen, and W. S. Pope, purser, were also examined at considerable length, but no further information of importance was adduced. The depositions will be forwarded to Government to-day, who will decide whether a nautical enquiry is necessary.