“NO RIGHT ON COURSE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 209, 23 November 1927, Page 9

“NO RIGHT ON COURSE”

ACTION OF GREYCLIFFE EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY PRESIDENTS’ REMARK By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY, Tuesday. TYURING the hearing of evi- ■*" dence as to the sinking of the ferry steamer Greycliffe after a collision with the Tahiti in Sydney Harbour, Mr. Justice Campbell, who is presiding at the inquiry, remarked that the action taken by the Greycliffe was quite incomprehensible. She had no right to be on that course. Captain Carson, who was piloting the Tahiti at the time of the collision, was cross-examined with regard to the positions and speeds of the two steamers. He said he believed that if the Greycliffe had not altered the course she was before the impact, there would have been no collision. There was ample distance for both steamers.

If the Greycliffe had eased speed or reversed after the Tahiti blew two blasts on its siren, he did not think there would have been a collision. The Tahiti had been ordered full speed ahead, and was proceeding under those orders until he ordered the engines astern, but not at any time did the speed exceed eight knots.

Steamers never got up to full speed in a harbour. He did everything possible after the Greycliffe changed course to obtain the maximum deflection.

Cecil Sharpe, chief officer of the Tahiti, gave evidence similar to of Captain Cnrsor ■ ’ engine room and deck logs of the Tahiti in support of nis .... In reply to questions, witness said he did not know what speed the Tahiti was travelling at, but he quoted the deck log entry just before the collision, which showed half speed ahead for five minutes. He said he expected the speed would be six knots. He would not deny that after going at full speed for five minutes the Tahiti would be doing 13 knots.—A. and N.Z.