THE CLAN RANALD WRECK INQUIRY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10064, 4 February 1909, Page 1

THE CLAN RANALD WRECK INQUIRY.

sßy Electric Telegeafh.—CorrnioHT.]

(Per Press Association.) Received February 4, at 9.55 a.m. Adelaide, February 4. The Marine Board, of Inquiry into t bo wreck of the Clan llanald bus opened. Mr Rose, chief officer, handed in a report to the effect that the vessel suddenly listed to about 45 degrees ami became unnavigable. She was allowed to drift inshore to within a mile of land, when the starboard anchor was let go in lo fathoms. Eventually, Number 5 hatrh started and was washed adrift. The vessel settled down, on her broadside and sank stern first. Mr Rose has no idea what caused the ship to list over and event ually founder. Examined by the President, witness said the ship was on the bottom the day before leaving port and had a list ot ihree <»r four degrees to the starboard on leaving. When the pilot left the ship the captain asked witness 10 look .after Iho navigation as he was not well. Pressed on the point, witness said he thought the captain bad been drinking heavily. '1 here was no indication that the vessel sU'uek anything. He, with the second officer. and the lascars tried to clear the boat in which the raptain had been placed, but she fouled the rigging and they had to abandon the attempt. The vessel had no collapsible boats or service rafts. The best behavior obtained among the officers and crew. The President: What was the captain doing 7 Witness: We found him lying on the floor of his cabin in a dazed condition. Evidently the sudden list had jerked him out of his bunk. He was sensible, but seemed frightfully weak. We helped him on deck and pat him in the inside boai abreast his cabin, lie was 100 weak to take command.

Witness sail! he believed the vessr! would have ridden through but tor the hatch coming off and letting water below. All the boats were free when the steamer sank, lie could only account for the accident by the vessel being top heavy in the seaway through carrying 70 tons oi coal on the turret dock.

The inquiry was adjourned. A diver is being despatched to examine the hull of the sunken steamer.