NAUTICAL INQUIRIES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9341, 9 January 1909, Page 4

NAUTICAL INQUIRIES.

Press Association. Wanganui, January 9. The decisions in the nautical inquiries held yesterday were given by the Oonrt this morning. Re the Charles Fdward, the Court held the masters and officers free from all blame for the stranding of the vessel as they obeyed the pilot’s signals and adhered to the sailing regulations made for safe navigation of the bar. There was not sufficient evidence to show that the vessel struck something harder than ordinary sand on the bar as had been suggested. The Court ordered the reutrn of the officers certificates. Ee the Ururoa the Court decided that her stranding was duo to the negligence of the master in anchoring too close to the.land on a hazy night when not sure of his bearings. It'also held the master gnilty of negligence in not taking further steps for the safety of the vessel when he found the anchor dragging. The master’s certificate was suspended for three months. The certificates of the other officers were returned. No order was made in. either case as to costs. 1