THE WOOLAHRA WRECK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 20 July 1907, Page 2

THE WOOLAHRA WRECK.

THE ENQUIRY. CAPTAIN'S HEFUSAL TO LEAVE HIS SHIP. Per Press Association. Wellington, July 10. I An inquiry concerning the wreck of the barque Woolinhrn at Terawhiti on Sunday Inst was opened to-day before Ur Mi-Arthur, S.M., with whom Captains .Larking and W. J. Cray were associated as assessors. Alexander Foote, chief mate of the Wool-ilium, said that after the tug left the ship at Wellington Heads on Sunday, he was on watch until 8 o'clock in the livening. He was then relieved by the second mate. Captain Aiulresen was also on deck, and there had been no dillienlty in handling the vessel. He went below, ~inl was due on watch again at midnight, but about ton minutes belorc that hour was aroused by shouts ol -all hands on deck," and found the slop ashore. Witness then described the experiences of the crow on the vessel, and Ihelr escape to shore in a dinghy. He tried to persuade the captain to leave, but lie refused, saying he would remain till daylight. He could not account for the wreck. From the position the vessel was in when he surrendered charge, her going ashore was a mystery, even in face of the changed weather.

Wililam Cough, the second mate, said the wreck occurred in his watch. He did not see the chart, mid although he knew the relative position of the light on Pencarrow Head, he could not now point out on the chart the position the ship was

in when ho relieved the mate. The captain went below at 0.30, but returned nt 10.15, when the wind, which had been northerly, changed to the south. There had been no change in the course up till then. Land was reported to the leeward at 11.30, and the captain went to Die forecastle head and changed the course. Soon after breakers were seen ahead, and the barque struck. The captain told witness and the crew to get ashore as best they could, but he would remain for daylight. Witness was for

going ashore straight away, but the men said: "No, we'll stick to the captain. Counsel: Did the captain give you any of his things? J Witness: Yes; his watch and about .Cl.lb, to he given to his wife if I got ashore. He gave me these in his cabin. Have you anything to say against the navigation? No.

lo what do you attribute the wreck? She miiHt have steered too close in. I After the evidence of a couple of seamen had been beard, a lad named Felton aged.lß «n ordinary seaman, said he was the last with the captain. He went below trying to persuade the captain to yet mlo the dinghy. Witness was putting a lifebelt on at the time, and said to the skipper: "Come; you have got your wife and children to look after." The captain started for the deck, but turned and went down again, sayin-r----"No j I'll stick to the ship." Witness followed hi in down trying to persuade him to leave. Then he heard the men on deck crying to shove off, and the cantnin said: "Go, my boy, and look after yourself. I'll stay." Witness could stay no longer, and going on to the deek he wes pulled over the rail into the dinghy. He had previoiilsy heard the two mates trying to get Captain AndreHen to leave. There was three feet of water in the skipper's cabin when witness left him, and the captain walked into that and sat down on a settee. As the dinghy was shoved away, the vessel gave a lurch, and the cabin filled. I he court will deliver its finding tomorrow.