CAPTAIN’S FAINTING FIT.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 August 1918, Page 2

CAPTAIN’S FAINTING FIT.

iiGW MAKAMBO RAN ASHORE. DEATH OF MISS REARDON. The story of the stranding of the steamer Makamho, and the accidental drowning of a lady passenger - , was told during an inquiry by the Marine Court in Sydney. It was stated by Mr. Curtis, of the Clown Law Department, who appeared for the Superiuteuaent of Navigation, that the circumstances were entirely out of the common, inasmuch as it was caused by the sudden illness or L.ie master, Captain Wetherall, while he was on the bridge. The Makamho reached Lord Howe Island on June !■*, and at 2 p.m. the master went ashore, lie had been suffering from severe paroxysms of coughing. The vessoj was got under weigh at 7.20 p.m., and at 7.35 p.m., when the time came for the order to be given to port the helm, the master had collapsed in a fainting fit, and the vessel struck. It was a fine moonlight night with a fine sea. The chief officer went on tothe bridge and found the captain unconscious. The lifeboat was lowereo while the vessel was rolling on the reef, but, unfortunately, one of the passengers, Miss Reardon, of Auckland, in stepping from the steamer, fell into the water and was drowned. Catpain Wetherall, in his evidence, stated that the only drink he had that afternoon was one whisky and water. The Court found that the stranding of the Makamho was caused through the master losing control as she was approaching the passage between the Admiralty Islands and the Sugar Loaf Island at Lord Howe Island, through a seizure which rendered him unconscious. The Court would not therefore deal 'with the master s certificate, but considered that he should be censored for not taking precautions for the safety of the ship, as he must have known from previous experience thar he was liable to such attacks, and he should have required the second officer to be on the bridge with him from the time of loosing the moorings until she was clear of all danger. The Court also expressed regret at the accident by which Miss Reardon was drowned.