SAVED CREW’S LIVES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 394, 30 June 1928, Page 1

SAVED CREW’S LIVES

Master of Thomas Bryan Commended

Seamen Responsible for Wreck

THE master of the trawler Thomas Bryan . has been completely exonerated from blame for the wreck of tb> vessel near Cape Colville on the night of June 10.

The marine inquiry concerning the wreck sat yesterday, and in the finding delivered to-day, Captain James Holt, master of the vessel, was commended for the measures he took to prevent loss of life. The Court held that the wreck was due to seamen who had failed to keep the proper course, and had failed further to call the master when the weather thickened. The inquiry', which opened yesterday afternoon, was presided over by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. With him as assessors were Captain Huntley Dryden and Captain W. E. Wahlstrom. Mr. V. R. Meredith appeared for the Minister of Marine, Mr. Allan Moody for the master, and Mr. J. Terry for the owners, Sanford, Ltd. The vessel, which was on its way from the Bay of Plenty to Auckland with a load of fish, was wrecked near Cape Colville at 11.30 p.m. on June 10. MASTERS STORY Captain Holt, in evidence, said he had been on the coast 18 years, 11 of which he had been in charge of trawlers. Under him on the Thomas Bryan were four deok-hands, a chief engineer, three firemen an £ a cook. One of the deck-hands was certificated, but he signed on as a leading seaman. He went on to say that after passing through the Hole in the Wall, he maintained the course for 15 minutes to keep the vessel a safe distance from the land. He then set the course, and went below, leaving two deck hands. Double and Halgesen, on wheel and look-out duty. 'He asked to be called if the weather thickened. He also

gave dofinite instructions to be called when the Watchman light was sighted. The ship struck about 11.30, witness being awakened by the crash. AVitness asked the man on duty how the accident happened, and the hand replied: “I was coming to call you, as it was getting thick.” Captairf' Holt said he had been on duty 16 hours, and retired to his cabin at 10.30. Even after that he called out to the watch on occasions, asking if all was well. For a week before the wreck he had been up every four hours, with no set period for sleep. He had to work long hours himself to avoid paying overtime to the crew. Continuing, lie said that in England vessels such as the Thomas Bryan had to carry a certificated mate and bo’sun. William Henry Double, who was at the wheel when the vessel struck, said he was making his second trip on the coast. The vessel was hard to steer, and heavy rain had been falling an hour before she hit land. He did not hear Captain Holt give his instruction to be called. In its finding, the court said that the wreck was due to the failure of the helmsman and lookout to keep the proper course. ‘‘The master.” went on the finding, “acted as a seaman should when his ship was wrecked, and the evidence proves that the crew owe their lives to the measures he took.” Captain Holt’s certificate was returned to him. no order being made as to costs.