THE WRECK OF THE TAIAROA,

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 151, 24 April 1886, Page 6

THE WRECK OF THE TAIAROA,

Wellington, April 16. The official inquiry into the wreck of the Taiaroa began on April 17 before Mr Stratford, R.M., and Captain Norris, Nautical Assessor. Mr Travers appeared for Captain Thompson. Tho latter was first examined. He deposed that the Taiaroa's swing and compasses were adjusted about S months ago. The card which was in the cabin Bhowed J west of deviation. A north-west wind wa3 blowing when sne left Wellington, which gradually died away abreast of Cape Campbell. The Hauroto passed the Taiaroa seven miles this side of the Capo on the inside, about a mile from the Taiaroa. The wind changed to tho south after passing the Cape, and blew frosh from the south with heavy rain, Witness was on dock till six o'clock, when ho went to tea. Could see land till between 4.30 and 5, but after that the rain obscured it, and ho only got occasional glimpses. There was a patent log, and it was put out at Wellington Heads. During tho N.VV. weather was going 10.} knots, but after 0 p.m. 9 knots. At about 6 25 wont on deck again, but could not tee land. Told tho mato to keop a sharp lookout Changed the course about 4 p.m. to S. J W. Shortly after 7> land was reported right under the port bow, but it was too dark say what it was. Witnesses rushed up on the bridge and found tho helm being put hard starboard. Gave the order full speed astern. At the same time she struck, and when the witness got on the bridge the telegraph pointed to full speed ahead. She would not go astern, but bumped heavily several times. Ho told the carpenter to let of rockets and blue lights, and he set ono of each. He supposed „ the re3t got too wet. He had no Holmes' deck-light on board Belioved that had the vessel been stopped at once, instoad,of waiting to give the alarm, sho might possibly have been saved, as allowing the rate of 9 knots she would have been 540 yards from tho shore. Did not think it nocessary to alter the courso half apoint South, to provide against the southeast roll aud strong southerly wind. It was a steady rule of the Company that the oflicer of the watch was to give the alarm to the captain. He never knew whoro they bad struck till he got to Blenheim. Hoard no passenger ask him where they were, but the mate asked him, and he said probably about 20 miles from Kaikoara. Would swear did not say live miloa from Kaikoura, IIo intonded, had ho not been blown away, to let tho boata hang on to tho ship, and see if she resisted the waves, and thon return on board in the uiorning if safe to do so. Ho did not take bearings of Cape Campbell when he altered the courso. Could give no explanation of the cause of tho accident unless it was faulty steering or a strong current. Never knew of a current Sbtting into lee there, but had heard of it since the wreck. Thore was nothing about it on the chart. He had mado the sarno voyage once a fortnight for nino months. Ho only knew the helmsman by sight not his name. He was drowned. Captain Thomson further said that the lead had been cast at 6 p.m. The first officer would have told him had tho vessel been close to the shore Witness did not give any instructions to the elTecfc to remain under tho lee of the ship in a boat. The Taiaroa was well found, and five months before had been inspected by tho Marino Department, which sent in a favourable report. James West, carpenter, said he was in chargo of tho watch on Sunday afternoon, and was relieved by tho second mate at 4 o'clock. At 6.20 he saw land about five or six miles off, which he took to be Waipapa Point, Witness was closely examined on this point, and he persisted in the statement. He also said that, expecting a dirty night, he went round and made everything secure. After the ship struck the captain told him to lot off some rockets, of which they had about 14 aboard, and a dozen blue lights, He only let off ono rocket, and two lights. The chief officer commanded him not to let any more off, as they blinded him. There was a gun on board, but^he never saw it on deck all the time he was aboard — twenty months. When tho captain's boat was trying to make fast to the line ho was dragged head and ehoulders into tho water and had to let Captain Thomson, recallod, said : The line by which tho boat was made fast was passed out of the starboard porr, near the stern. Each boat's painter was tied to the line, the loose end of which was floating astern. Tho boats lay under the stern of the "vessel, which, as the wind waa right ahead, was tho lee aide of tho steamer. John Mackay, A.B., said he was called at 7 p.m. on the Sunday to go on the lookout. He could see nothing of land when he wont on tho forecastle head. He afterwards went on the bridge, and thore thought he could see the loom of land on the port bow. He spoke to the chief officer about it, and he immediately ran down and callod tho captain without leaving any orders, Witness went and holped tho the man at wheel to put it over hard-a-starboard. Tho Captain immodiately rushed up and put the telegraph full speed astern, but in a few eoconds the steamer struck. Samnel Dalrymple, engineer, deposed that h ) was on duty when the vessel struck, and at 7 12 the telograph rang "Full speed astern." At that time sho was going full speod ahead. He at once answored tho telegraph and reversed the engines' This took about ono minuto. After tho enginos were revorsed he felt the vessel strike. The engines were ' going full speed astern for fully ten ininutos. The vessel was bumping heavily, and she commenced to make water. As soon as he noticed this he went on deck and asked the captain if there was any use of continuing going astern, He told him to go on for a few minutes longer. Witness found, on returning to the engine, there were four feet of water there. The captain then ordered the engines to be stopped. The steamer struck under the engine-rooin, or stoke-hole. Tho Taiaroa's cargo was sold to Messrs Watson and McKenzie for £30.