THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 151, 24 April 1886, Page 5

THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY.

Wellington, April 10. The official inquiry into the wreck of the Taiaroa began this morning before Mr Stratford, R.M., and Captain Norris, Nautical Assessor. Mr Travels appeared for Captain Thompson. Tho latter was first examined. Ho deposed that tho Taiaroa's swing and compasses were adj usted about S months ago. The card which was in the cabin showed f west of deviation, A norbh-wcst wind was blowing sno left Wellington, which gradually died away abroast of Cape Campbell. The JTauroto passed the Taiaroa seven miles this side of the Capo on tho inside, about a mile from tho Taiaroa. Tho wind changed to tho south after passing tho Cape, and blew fresh from tho south with heavy rain. Witness was on deck till six o'clock, when he went to toa, Could see land till between 4.30 and 5, but after that tho rain obscured it, and he only got occasional glimpses. Thoro was a patent log, and it was put out at Wellington Heads. During the N. W. weather was going 10j$ knots, but after 6 p.m. 9 knots. At about G.25 wont on deck again, but could not eeo land. Told the mate to keep a sharp lookout Changed the course about 4 p.m. to S. J VV. Shortly after 7, land was reported right under the port bow, but it was too dark say what it was. Witnessos rushed up on the bridge and found the helm being put hard starboard. Gave tho order full spoed astern. At tho same time she struck, and when tho witness got on tho bridge the telegraph pointed to full speed ahead. She would not go astern, but bumped heavily eoveral times. He told the carpenter to let of rockets and blue lights, and ho set one of each. He supposed re3t cot too wot. Ho had no Holmes' deck-light on board. Believed that had the vessel been stopped at once, instead,'of waiting to give the alarm, she might possibly have been saved, as allowing the rate of 9 knots sho would have | been 540 yards from tho shore Did not think it necessary to alter the course half apoint South, to provide against the southeast roll and strong southerly wind. It was a steady rulo of the Company that the officer of the watch was to give the alarm to the captain. He never knew where they had struck till he got to Blenheim, Heard no passenger ask him where they were, but the mate asked him, and_ he said probably about 20 miles from Kaikoura. Would swear did not say five miles from Kaikoura. He intended, had he not been blown away, to let the boats hang on to the ship, and see if she resisted tho waves, and then return on board in the uiorning if safe to do so. He did not take bearings of Cape Campbell when be altered the course. Could givo no explanation of the cause of the accident unless it was faulty steering or a strong current. Nover knew of a current sbtting into lee there, but had heard, of it since the wreck. There was nothing about it on the chart. He had made the same voyage once a fortnight for nine months. He only knew the helmsman by[eight not his name. He was drowned,