NAUTICAL COURT VERDICT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81844, 10 September 1906, Page 2

NAUTICAL COURT VERDICT.

Per Press Association. Auckland, Sepeirtber 9. At the nautical inquiry into the wreck of the Defiance, stranded at Kaipara Harbour, Robert S, Jones, signalman at Kaipara Heads, stated that on 27th August he saw the Defiance beating up. He was at the signal station, three quarters of a mile frm the lighthouse. He made no signal to the Defiance, because he did not see her in a dangerous position. He did not see her again till she had taken the ground. He was. unable to see her during the remainder of the morning because of the haze and drifting sand. Recalled, Captain White said that it was quite possible that the vessel might be obscured from the signal station, although he could clearly see the staff at the time. However, he thought the signalman could sec the Defiance. In giving the finding, his W'orship said the decision of the Court was unanimous. The Court considered that the loss of the vessel arose from the master somewhat imprudently standing in too close to the beach before tacking, and the vessel, being close-hauled and under small sail, had not sufficient way on to ensure her going round. In consequence of this, and an inshore current counter to the flow of the tide, of which the master stated 110 was unaware, the vessel fell off, and at once took ground. All reasonable and seamanlike efforts were then made to get out of the difficulty, but as two hours' flood tide had still to run, and the wind was b'owing from the northeast, the vessel gradually went firmer on the bank, where she eventually remained. The semaphore signals were not used, the signalman beingunable to see the vessel before she stranded, and being unaware that sho was standing into danger. The Court was of opinion that the signalman in charge at the time was not sufficiently experienced and competent to act as such, and they did not think it desirable or justifiable to suspend the captain's certificate.