THE WANGANUI WRECKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 319, 9 January 1909, Page 2

THE WANGANUI WRECKS.

iIAGIISTERIAL, INQUIRIES. THE CHARLES EDWARD. ]iy Telegraph—.Press Association. Wanganui, Friday. A magisterial inquiry was lield this morning, before Mr. Graham, S.M., and Captains Smith and Reed, into the stranding of the steamer Charles Ed ward at the end of the breakwater on December 10. Captain Graham said the vessel was of Ha tons burthern and was built i" 180-1. She was overhauled at Nelson two weeks before the accident. fSlto carried 200 tons of coal, and was drawing 7ft 2in forward and Oft aft. A moderate southerly gale was blowing, with a fairly heavy sea. When tKe. vessel took the bar at high tide at 3.29 she struck on the outer part of the bar and continued striking for about half an hour after. The engineer reported that (he water was making in the after hold, where she struck. She had pre viously crossed tile' bar making' more water' and after higli tide. The, Vessel; was never properly clear of the bottom from the time she first struck. A tug was signalled for, but the pilot replied that none was available. Ell'orts were made to keep the vessel's stern in tlic, channel and back her oil', but they, were of no avail. Her head was then 00ft out to sea from the piles of the breakwater. The vessel was lying straight across the channel. Ell'orts were continued till 7.30, when thi water bad risen in her and put the tires out, and by next morning the seas had drifted her under the pile-work of the breakwater. Lines were run out, but were of little use, and no attelnpti afterwards was made to move her. SSlnhad often struck harder on the bar without serious effect, and lie was of opinion that on this occasion something harder than sand was struck, and had he not struck on it he would Jiave com* in safely, lie had never had anyeasutalies before, and knew the bar well. Captain Irvine, harbormaster, sail Hie sea was bumpty, but nothing out ol the ordinary, and lie could not see anything to render the bar unsafe when tin vessel crossed. The vessel had come in before under similar conditions. There was lift 4in of water on the bar when she came in. The bar was soundeil two days later, when no variation wis shown from what had been the doptilv for two months past. The set of the sea and wind prevented the vessel obeying the direction given by the semaphore, He did not think the captain could haw done anything more to bring the vessel safely into port. This concluded the evidence. The Court,said there was no blame attachable to the ullicers, who had followed the pilot's instructions. Their certificates were therefore returned. A full verdict will be given la the ingTHE TjRUKOA. 1 In the Ururoa case Captain Harris stated that he sighted Castleclill' light at 8.30 on the night of December 18th. Me was then 13 miles away to westward. After running half-an-hour, the second mate sounded the lead and got nine fathoms, this eventually being reduced to eight, as on previous visits. Tine captain intended to anchor in a 'handy position off the bar in order that te tug might take him at high tide. 'When eight fathoms was reported the anchor was dropped, but when the vessel swung to anelior he'discovered there was only two and a-half fathoms. The sea was rising, and the captain knew he was in a dangerous position. A thick haze had confused his estimate of the distance from the shore. He signalled for a tug, but got no assistance. The vessel then began to drift, and witness ■was afraid to drop another anchor, as it would have caused the vessel to founder, the sea breaking right over her. The vessel continued to drag, among the breakers, and eventually was stranded.

• This evidence was corroborated by the chief ollicer, second officer, and two seamen, who stated that everything ■was done to save the vessel. No other evidence was called. Judgment is to be given in the morning.