THE TARARUA DISASTER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2532, 3 May 1881, Page 2

THE TARARUA DISASTER.

INQUEST ON THE BODIES.

On the arrival at Otara of Mr McCulloch, coroner from Invercargill, shortly after mid-day yesterday, steps was at once taken to hold an inquest. The jury was composed of residents of the locality and visitors. The proceedings were much delayed owing to the latitude allowed the jurymen in putting utterly extraneous and irrelevant questions. The most important portions of the evidence were as follows:

Eobert Lindsay deposed—l was chief officer of the Tararua. She left Dunedin on Thursday evening. I had the watch from 6to 8. The Captain was on deck going out of the Heads. I again took charge at midnight and stayed on deck till 4 a.m. The Captain told me to call him at a quarter to 4. I did so and he came on deck. I was steering W.S.W. He told me to continue that course. At 4 o’clock the course was altered to west, and I went below. The Captain gave orders to alter the course. The land was in sight at 4 o’clock. I reckoned we were about five miles to the eastward of Waipapa Point at the time I went below. The course being altered brought the vessel further in shore. I was awoke by the vessel striking at a quarter past 5. The Captain was giving orders to call all hands to clear away the boats. We cleared them all away, and hung them to the davit heads. We then waited till daylight, to see about landing. The boats were all lifeboat built, two having lifeboat fenders in them.

To jurymen and to Inspector Buckley—Some of the passengers tried to get into’the boats as they were hanging on the davits, but the captain ordered, them out. They were all males. I saw the body of a woman who came ashore on Saturday. I know I have seen her on board. I fancy she was a saloon passenger. She had no rings bn. A man came ashore on Friday evening. He was swimming with a lifebuoy, and was greatly knocked about by the breakers, and got senseless among them. He was dead on reaching the shore. He was eight or ten minutes among the breakers. We tried to restore him but failed. I judged we were fifteen miles from where we struck when I went below at 4 o’clock, the vessel going at 10 or ll£ knots an hour. I hold a master’s certificate. I was well acquainted with the coast, and considered, the vessel to be the usual distance off the coast when I left the deck. The two bodies found to-day I also recognise as those of passengers who were on board. Ido not knqw their names. I do not think the Captain did wrong in altering the course. It was hazy on the land. It was a bright starlight night, with a haz,e •on the horizon. We passed the Nuggets at twelve o’clock, about four miles off. I think we were five miles off land when I went down, or from four to fivb. If a W.'S.W. course had been kept the accident would not have happened. The course was aUered at the usual time, but the ship might have overrun herself or the reverse. It was about one o’clock when I began to think the vessel might break up. Ido not think it would have been prudent to send boats to sea with passengers. .Edward Maloney, second mate, repeated the same statement as he made yesterday as to what occurred up till the vessel struck.

To Inspector Buckley—As far as I know everything possible was done for the safety of the passengers after the vessel struck. Captain Garrard did everything he could to procure the safe despatch of the passengers from the ship, by seeing that the boats were properly got off and that the best crews were put in them. There was confusion when she struck, but the captain did all he could to give the people confidence.

To Jurymen—lt is a very difficult thing to say how far the land is off when there is a haze. When I took charge I could not tell how far the land was away. The ship was steered the usual course, in fact she was steered a little out rather than anything else, because of the heavy swell setting in. I consider the captain was justified in altering the course. I presume the captain thought we had passed Waipapa

Point when he changed the course to west. I supposed it had and the captain was more positive than me about it. Where we struck was four miles from Waipapa Point. When I thought I heard breakers I rushed aft. I found the captain working at his chart in his chart room. A juryman—Can you form any idea what caused Urn vessel to fetch the reef ? I suppose it must have been the heavy set ot the swell. Did you hear any ladies appealing to the captain to save them ? I did not. Had you power to order the engineer to reverse the engines when you fancied you saw breakers ? Certainly I had ; but even had I then done so I am sure we would have gone on the reef, but I only fancied I saw breakers. In my opinion a light is necessary on Waipapa Point. I have heard masters say they thought so. The chief mate informed the jury that suggestions had been made to the authorities to place a light there.