THE WRECK OF THE THISTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8021, 6 January 1906, Page 3

THE WRECK OF THE THISTLE.

FINDING OF THE COURT. THE CAPTAIN' BLAMED. PUK PRESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, January 5. The nautical enquiry touching the circumstances surrounding the wreck of the barque Thistle, near the northwest Islets off Palmerston Reef in the South Pacific Ocean on November 8, 1905, was concluded to-daj.

Capt. Champion, of the Government schooner Countess of Ranfurly, win has had 30 years' experience of Island navigation, said he considered Capt. England took ample precautions.

Witness said he would have taken the same course himself in similar circumstances. The Saragossa, which was wrecked in the Cook group, was put out of her course by a difference in the prevailing current, Currents were very unreliable, and were affected by

ic wind. Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., in giving

judgment, said the Court were of opinion that the Master was confident as to his true position at midnight on the 7th. He suspected that the current

might bo running in a Southerly

direction, and, in tlieir opinion, he was Kiiilty of mi error of judgment in

altering Ihc vessel's course at midnight so as to bring her nearer to the Islands. Looking at the conditions as they existed, he should have continued on the course set at 6 p.m. on Ihc 7th, at nnyrate until daylight.

The Court were also of opinion that, knowing his vessel was getting abreast of the Islands and in danger zone, he

should hivo rcui'i'u'l on de.;k from o nc a.m. until daylight. Having regard to the whole of the circumstances, the Court did not think that the certificates of the Masler and Olliccrs should be dealt with, and they were accord-

'ugly returned unendorsed. The coals of Ihu Court, I'll 6s, were ordered to be borne by the Master. The evidence showed that the

currents at and about these Islands are very treacherous and uncertain.