THE PERICLES WRECK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 358, 8 April 1910, Page 5

THE PERICLES WRECK.

ADMIRALTY COURT ENQUIRY.

Hy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright

Received April 8, 1.5 a.m.

Perth, Last Night. The Admiralty Court has commenced an enquiry into the wreck of the Pericles.

Counsel appeared for Captain Simpson, also for thirty-one passengers who had made charges against the ollicers of neglecting third-class passengers. Captain Simpson's evidence states that angles were taken at every point .along the shore. He had a new standard compass, and it had very little deviation. The ship was drawing 28ft when .she struck, and was travelling at the rate of 13 knots. It took twelve minutes to stop the steamer after she struck, .and she travelled for a mile to a mile and a-half. 'He was on the usual fine weather course at the time of the disaster.

The assistant lighthouse-keeper at Cape Leeuwin deposed that the Pericles .was eight miles away when he first no.ticed her. She appeared to be lying ■there flying two flags, but was too' far ,ofl* for him to make out their meaning. -She afterwards drifted in four miles. Her course was just like that of other vessels coming in the same direction, iind she was not unusually close inshore. She was outside the dangerous i tin. The third officer of the Pericles deposed that the usual course of six or seven miles off Cape Leeuwin was: kept.