STRANDING OF THE WANGANUI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 770, 11 October 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

STRANDING OF THE WANGANUI.

An official inquiry into the causes of ;he stranding of the schooner W;ing;uiui, which wna lately brought aahore about five niles north of the port of Oamaru during i fog, was held before T. W. P;irker, Esq., and Pilot Shand, at tho Courthouae, yesterday. The evidence was an alaboration of what we have already published in reference to this disaster. It went to show that Capt. Blaney had placed thorough dependence upon seeing the Breakwater light through the fog, because he had seen the Kartigi light distinctly, and that he was proceeding in the expectation of seeing it presently when the vessel stranded. The mate's evidence corroborated that given by the captain. Captain Sewell gave evidence as follows : —1 am harbor-master at Oamaru. I have known Captain Blaney some thirteen years, and consider him sober and attentive to hia duties, and a most trustworthy man. It is a customary thing to uso a lead line in thick weather, especially when standing towards the land. Mr. Parker, after consultation, said after referring to the facts adduced in evidence, that the main point for consideration was that stated in the notice applying for tho present enquiry, vis:., the charge of negligence in coming up on such a night as described, without using either log or lead. It was quite possible that under some circumstances it might not be necessary to use such appliances ; but although in this case the lead might not have been of any use, yet, had it been employed, with no good effect, still it would b.atre been satisfactory that all had been done thai, could be done. In this caBO Captain Blaney appeared to have relied solely upon his judgment and experience, which for some reasons or other did not in this case appear to have been sufficient. It was quite likely that the everyday familiarity with danger led to its being under-rated, and to the omission of precaution, which omission might at any time result in the loss of life and property. In this case, though the vessel was stranded in a safe place, it was shown that it would cost L 275 to launch her, to say nothing of the cost of any repairs which might be found necessary, and the loss of the vessel's time ; and although Captain Blaney might himself be the greatest sufferer, still ho was not justified in having neglected any precaution. The Court, while 'it took into account what Captain Sewell had stated, and had no doubt that in many respects Captain Blaney was superior to the great majority of masters, and while it regretted that he had brought himself into the present position, felt that it must mark its disapproval of the neglect shown, and would therefore order the suspension of his certificate for a period of four months.