STRANDING OF THE KAIPARA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 301, 29 January 1910, Page 5

STRANDING OF THE KAIPARA

THE NAUTTCAL ENQUIRY. CAPTAIN CORNWALL'S EVIDENCE By Telegraph.—Press' Association. Auckland, Friday. The enquiry into the stranding of the eteamer Kaipara when leaving port was commenced this morning, before Mr. ■Kettle, S.M., and Captains fleece and Post. The' Collector of Customs, in opening the case, stated that the vessel had a list, stated to be from tsjx to seven degrees, when she left the wharf, and this increased as she proceeded down the harbor. The Court had to ascertain what efforts Captain Cornwall ■made to uncertain the cause of that liist, whether the vessel struck a slioal ■patch, and whether the captain was justified in proceeding in the vicinity of that shoal patch instead of through the safest part of the channel. Captain Cornwall, examined, said the Kaipara had no list when travelling •from Wellington to Auckland. All the ballast tanks ran right across the ship. except Nos. 3 and 0. which were independent. He first noticed the list '"•n the 13lh inst.. and gave specific instrue•tions to the stevedores. On leaving port tile vessel listed six or seven decrees. The engineer* remarked upon the considerable list. There was an hour an.l a half of ebb title to run. He knew the list would increase the vessel's draught, but did not anticipate any difliculty in getting out of the harbor, lie could not say if the vessel touched bottom along-•-i'e th- wharf. The list would increase the draught from fourteen to sixteen inches. Auckland, Last Night. I In the course of further evidence at ] th" Kaipara enquiry. Captain Cornwall 1 said lie did not follow the course sug-lio-Tod by The New Zealand Pilot, but Relieved he was on a safe course, lie wais uoiii'j eight knots an hour. He was surprised even now. after seeing the damage, that so much water was made m scj short a lime. Answering Captain Fleming, he -a'.l if the Kaipara bumped on the bollom at the wharf that would account for the large quantity of water in a short. lime. Acieptiug the chart as correct. ■•'he eouiv" lie tonic was a prudent course. The shoal he -truck was nor shown on the chart. The vessel had a '.slight tendency to list to starboard. He | discovered afterwards that the luminous buovs were not in position. Mr. Cotter -aid he wanted to inform [ (he Court thai he had a signed statement from Lieut. TTu»hc*. who was on the ship at the tim- and was navigating officer of the Iris, that th" list was not ! sufficient in his opinion to he of any cot-sequence. ! Auckland. Later. Closing his evidence at the Kaina.-a enquiry. Cantain Cornwall said he had found no indication on the hull that his vessel was damaged at the railway whar?. Witney added that ihe had heard since the accident thai the Wnimare touched in Jul v. 1004: also that a 'French warship had touched. I Mr. Cotter said he was in communication with the captain of th" Waimare asking him to give evidence. I The chief officer and third officer gave ! evidence, and the enquiry was adjourned till Monday.