HOW THE DISASTER HAPPENED. The Captain's Account. Blenheim, April 13.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 150, 17 April 1886, Page 4

HOW THE DISASTER HAPPENED. The Captain's Account. Blenheim, April 13.

The preliminary inquiry commenced last night. Captain Thomson said the Taiaroa left Wellington on Sunday morning, but on account of the strong N.W wind, kept £

point in more than usual until 2 p.m., when they were abreast of Cape Campbell, and the course was altered. Suddenly the wind chopped, to the S.E. It was raining heavily, blowing hard, and the sea got up quickly. He was on deck till G. 30, and she then appeared to be a good distanco off the land. The mate was on the bridge. He told the mate if he thought the vessel was getting closer in, or the weather camo on thick so as to lose sight of land, to let him know. About 7 the mate reported that he could see land on the port bow. Witness ran on dock. They were putting the helm hard a-starboard when he got there, ITe stopped the fcieamer and went full "-peed astern. She took ground at the same time. Tko chief engineer camo up and said it wa3 useless going further astern, as eho was making water, Wifneea told the second mate to try and run a line to the beach and see if he could not effect a landing. Clot a line over (he stern, towing the boats on tG that. All the boats were fast to it except the captain's, and thoy lot her drop alongside the others. When alongside the first lifeboat, witness told the first mate to take charge of her. When they came to the last boat the carpenter missed it, and they drifted away. The second mato was in charge of the last boat, and came after them to givo them a tow. lie towed them for an hour, but could make no headway, and they therefore lot go. Witness kept tho boat close into tho shore to prevent being blown to sea. Tried to make Cape Campbell, but could not, and fcteered for Wairau Bar. Everyone in the boats had life-belts on. Did not tako soundings, but the usual precautions oio taken. Nothing waa wrong with tho compasaos so far as he know. They wore coriectcd &oven or eight months ago. Somo magnetic influenco, with a strong current sotting in, might have caused the uccideut. Tho wind appealed to come from the South, but tho sta was strong from tho S.E. Two lady passengers were in No. 1 life-boat.

Other RTarratives. Jamos AVest, carpentor, deposed that the sea was breaking right over the biidge, and there was a heavy sea on deck before, thoy loft. Tho vessel bumped heavily the whole time after she struck. Samuel Dalrymplo stated that when tho engicies stopped thoro Mas four feet of Welter. Witness then wont on dock, and on returning to the engine-room a few minutes later, fou nd that thero was six feet of water, and that the firea wero out. John Mackay, who was on tho watch as look-out forward, said tho vossol scorned to bo a proper distance off land when passiig Capo (Jampbell. Witness had steered the same courso on the Taiaroa for 1-i months. Tho depositions will bo forwarded to Wellington.