STRANDING OF A SCOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 343, 19 March 1910, Page 5

STRANDING OF A SCOW.

THE SHIPPER'S STORY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Friday. , A Magisterial enquiry has been opened in reference to the stranding 01 tne scow Vesper at Whangaparoa. Peter .Peterson, master of the vessel, deposed that on the day of the stringing of the Vesper, with three hands, including himself, they were removing mutton carcases from the steamer Kaipara. Before they left the steamer three Lotties of whisky and one bottle' of rum were taken aboard the scow. Witness had about four drinks of whisky ! on the voyage down the channel. j Witness took charge at the wheel, the other men being below. The night j was clear. About 3.40 a.m. he went ! below to get a cigarette, and collapsed, owing to having been up two nights in ,' I succession. He fell asleep, and tlie next j J .thing he knew was that one of the men I I was calling, "Vessel ashore!" , CAPTAIN'S CERTIFICATE CAN- ! CELLED. I Auckland, Last Xight. W. Stanley Clark, the Vesper's en gineer, stated that on the night of the collision he went to bed early, while t'li* vessel was off Rangitoto Channel, jn his cabin was a bottle of rum, which at the time he retired was practically rtill. Witness went to sleep, and did ot! wake again until the ship was on ,he | rocks. He went on deck and then pvj-j ceeded to Petersen's cabin, in company : with Wills. It took a long time to awaken Petersen, who was asleep in h.i, ■bunk. When awakened, it was evident I that the master was under the mflu-1 ence of liquor. Witness then noticed that a third of the rum was gone irom the bottle in his cabin. Edgar P. Goldsbro', agent for "he Vesper, said he issued orders for the j boat to proceed with the work of ua loading the Kaipara, and on the morn-' ing in question s'ent three bottles of' whisky aboard for the crew. As far is I the agents were concerned, Wills .vas | of the ship, representing the owners' interests. Petersen was' only there because it was necessary to carry a certificated master on the boat. Witness knew that Petersen was a man of intemperate habits. Captain Fleming, marine superintendent, gave formal evidence, and this completed the enquiry. The Court cancelled the certificate o* Captain Petersen, and ordered the owners to pay the cost of the enquiry.